Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church

 

Mary’s role in relation to the Church flows directly from her union with Christ and is manifested throughout the whole mystery of salvation—from the Annunciation and the virginal conception of the Son of God to the Cross. Through her “fiat” at the Annunciation, which she faithfully maintained even at the foot of the Cross, she cooperated in a wholly singular way, through her obedience, faith, hope, and charity, in the Savior’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason, she is our Mother in the order of grace.

 

The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things. In her Assumption, she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection and stands as an anticipation of the resurrection and glorification promised to all the members of Christ.

 

Through her Assumption into heaven, Mary did not abandon her maternal mission toward the children of God. Rather, she continues to intercede for them and, by her maternal intercession, obtains for them the gifts of eternal salvation. Her maternal role does not obscure or diminish the unique mediation of Christ; instead, it manifests the power and fruitfulness of Christ’s one mediation, from which all of Mary’s influence proceeds.

 

 

The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is an intrinsic element of Christian worship. From the earliest times, Mary has been honored under the title “Mother of God.” Already glorified in heaven in body and soul, the Mother of Jesus is the image and beginning of the Church. As the Church’s preeminent member and model of faith and charity, she shines before the pilgrim People of God as a sign of sure hope and consolation.

 

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.