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Mary

the mother of Jesus

Who was Mary?

The name
In Hebrew it is Miriam, like the sister of Moses. Its meaning is uncertain: there are about 70 explanations. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “The Name of Mary”
Also called
The Virgin Luke 1:27 · Full of grace: that is how the angel greeted her Luke 1:28 · The mother of my Lord: that is what Elizabeth called her Luke 1:43 · Woman: that is how Jesus addressed her at Cana and from the cross John 2:4; John 19:26
From
Nazareth, in Galilee Luke 1:26-27
Feast day
January 1: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Mary, an artistic recreation

What the Bible says

Matthew 1:16

And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Luke 1:36

And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren:

John 2:3

And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Mary

  1. Before Jesus. She lived in Nazareth. She was betrothed to Joseph, a man of the house of David. Luke 1:26-27
  2. With Jesus. The angel Gabriel told her she would be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. She said yes. Luke 1:31, 35, 38
  3. With Jesus. She went in haste to visit her relative Elizabeth and stayed with her about three months. Luke 1:39-40, 56
  4. With Jesus. In Bethlehem she gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a manger. Luke 2:4-7
  5. With Jesus. At a wedding in Cana, she told Jesus that they had no wine. John 2:1-3
  6. With Jesus. She stood by the cross. Jesus entrusted her to the disciple he loved. John 19:25-27
  7. Afterward. After the Ascension, she prayed in Jerusalem with the apostles. Acts 1:12-14
  8. Afterward. The Church teaches that, when her life on earth was over, she was taken up body and soul into heaven. Catechism 966

Words of Mary

“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38

To the angel Gabriel, when he told her she would be the mother of Jesus.

“My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:46-47

When she visited Elizabeth. These are the first words of the Magnificat.

“Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” Luke 2:48

When she and Joseph found the 12-year-old Jesus in the Temple, after three days of searching.

“They have no wine.” John 2:3

To Jesus, at a wedding in Cana.

“Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.” John 2:5

To the servers at that same wedding.

What they were like

The greatest thing they did

Not to be confused with

In the Church today

Feast day: January 1, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (solemnity). General Roman Calendar; Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America (USCCB)

Patron of: As Our Lady of Guadalupe, she is invoked as “Patroness of all America” John Paul II, apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in America 11 (1999); Of the United States, under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Her feast on December 8 is the nation’s patronal feast Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Immaculate Conception”; Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America (USCCB)

In art, recognized by: The moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars, like the woman in the Book of Revelation Revelation 12:1; National Gallery, London, entry for “The Virgin and Child” (about 1400)

Mary in art

The Annunciation, by Fra Angelico
The Annunciation, Fra Angelico, h. 1425-1426. Museo del Prado, Madrid
The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, h. 1678. Museo del Prado, Madrid

What people ask

Did Mary have other children?

The Bible calls some men brothers of Jesus. The Church teaches that they were close relatives and that Mary was always a virgin. Mark 6:3; Catechism 499; Catechism 500

Were Mary and Elizabeth cousins?

The Bible says they were relatives, but not how they were related. Older Bibles say “cousin,” meaning simply a relative. Luke 1:36; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Elizabeth”

What is the Magnificat?

It is the song of praise Mary spoke when she visited Elizabeth. The Church prays it every evening, at Evening Prayer. Luke 1:46-55; General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours 50

What were the names of Mary’s parents?

The Bible doesn’t say. According to tradition, they were Joachim and Anne; the Church celebrates them on July 26. Protoevangelium of James; General Roman Calendar

Who did Mary live with after Jesus died?

From the cross, Jesus entrusted her to the disciple he loved, and that disciple took her into his home. John 19:26-27

Daily life She lived in Nazareth, a town in Galilee, betrothed to Joseph. Luke 1:26-27 Every year she went with Joseph to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. Luke 2:41…

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Who Mary is connected to

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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