Calvary, Mary at the Foot of the Cross

Calvary is the summit of Mary’s life as New Eve and co-redemptrix. John 19:25-27 states that “standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister…”; Mary was present to the end. For a complete article: Calvary and Mary.

Stabat Mater

The Stabat Mater (“The mother was standing”) describes Mary standing beside the cross, not prostrate. This posture is significant: Mary is not a passive victim, but an active participant in the redemptive sacrifice of her Son. Her suffering is com-passion, suffering with Christ, not alongside Christ.

The Entrusting of John

The words of Jesus on the cross, “Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother,” are interpreted as the constitution of a new spiritual motherhood. Mary receives John as a son and John receives Mary as a mother. Tradition saw in this gesture the giving of Mary to the whole Church as universal Mother.

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Magisterium of the Church

Stabat autem iuxta crucem Iesu mater eius et soror matris eius, Maria Cleopae, et Maria Magdalene.

John 19:25 (Vulgata Clementina)

📚 Literal translation: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.

In Passione autem Filii sui particeps fuit Maria Mater, et cum sacrificio eius se ex corde associavit.

Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Const. Lumen Gentium, no. 58

📚 Literal translation: In the Passion of her Son, Mary the Mother took part, and she united herself with His sacrifice from the heart.