The Virgin Mother of Christ and the Church

# The Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ and the ChurchThrough God’s will, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, to accomplish the redemption of the world, “when the time was right, He sent His Son, born of the Virgin Mary… to bring us the adoption as children” (Galatians 4:4-5). “For love of humanity and for our salvation, He descended from heaven and became incarnate in the Virgin Mary, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.” This divine mystery of salvation is revealed and continues within the Church, established by the Lord as His Body. Within it, the faithful, adhering to Christ as Head and in communion with all the saints, are also called to venerate “first and foremost, the glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ” (Light of the Nations, 52).Indeed, the Virgin Mary, who at the announcement by the Angel received the Word in her heart and womb, and gave birth to Life for the world, is recognized and honored as the true Mother of the Redeemer God. Redeemed in a more sublime manner, due to the merits of Her Son, and united to Him by a close and indissoluble bond, she was enriched with the exalted mission and dignity of Mother of God’s Son. Thus, she is the beloved daughter of the Father and temple of the Holy Spirit, and through this singular grace, surpasses all other creatures in heaven and on earth. However, she is also connected, through descent from Adam, to all men in need of salvation. Furthermore, “she is truly Mother of the members (of Christ), because she cooperated with His love so that within the Church, believers might be born as members of that Head” (Light of the Nations, 53). For this reason, she is hailed as an eminent and uniquely prominent member of the Church, its perfect type and model in faith and charity. The Catholic Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, pays her filial affection and profound veneration as the most loving Mother.To delve deeper into Mary’s place in the history of salvation, we recommend Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Redemptoris Mater.**Further Study:** Explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology at LocusMariologicus.org.