Why Mary?

6 min

Awaiting theological review

The simple answer

Mary is the mother of Jesus. Catholics honour her because God chose her, and because she said yes to him without knowing where it would lead. Everything the Church believes about Mary is ultimately about Jesus: she is honoured because of who her son is — and Jesus, from the Cross, gave her to his disciples as their mother.

In the Bible

Scripture

At the Annunciation the angel greets her as full of grace, and she answers: be it done to me according to thy word.

Luke 1:26–38

Scripture

Elizabeth calls her blessed among women; Mary herself says all generations will call her blessed.

Luke 1:42–48

Scripture

At Cana she tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them; at the Cross Jesus entrusts her to the beloved disciple; after the Ascension she prays with the apostles.

John 2:1–11 · John 19:25–27 · Acts of the Apostles 1:14

Where it comes from

Church teaching

The Council of Ephesus (431) called Mary Theotokos, Mother of God. The title protects a truth about Jesus: her son is one person, truly God and truly man.

Church teaching

Two dogmas were defined much later, after centuries of belief: the Immaculate Conception (1854) and the Assumption of Mary into heaven (1950).

Private revelation

Apparitions such as Guadalupe, Lourdes and Fatima have shaped popular devotion. The Church may judge them worthy of belief, but they are private revelation: no Catholic is required to believe them.

Norms for proceeding in the discernment of alleged supernatural phenomena

What the Church teaches

Catechism

Mary is truly Mother of God, because she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man.

CCC 495

Catechism

Mary was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her life — by the merits of Christ, her Saviour too.

CCC 491–492

Catechism

Devotion to Mary differs essentially from the adoration given to God; it serves and fosters that adoration.

CCC 971

Church teaching

Mary's role does not obscure or diminish the unique mediation of Christ; it shows its power.

Lumen Gentium, 60

A common misunderstanding

Catholics worship Mary as a goddess.

In fact

Mary is a creature, saved by Christ like every human being. She is honoured above all saints, but never adored. The Church treats any devotion that forgets Jesus as distorted.

Why it matters today

Mary said yes without having all the answers, stood at the Cross when others ran away, and waited with the apostles in uncertainty. For many people she is the one who teaches them how to trust.

Bible passages

Luke 1:26–38 · Luke 1:42–48 · John 2:1–11 · John 19:25–27 · Acts of the Apostles 1:14

Catechism

CCC 484–511; 963–975; 495; 971 ↗