Mary and the Eucharist: The mystery of faith reflected in the Mother
Maria and the Eucharist: The Mystery of the Eucharist Reflected in the Mother of Jesus, the Eucharistic Woman
Maria and the Eucharist: Introduction
The relationship between *Maria* and *the Eucharist* is one of the most fertile areas of contemporary Mariology. Pope Saint John Paul II, in the final chapter of his encyclical *Ecclesia de Eucharistia*, dedicated memorable pages to *Maria* and *the Eucharist*, calling her *”eucharistic woman.”* Understanding *Maria* and *the Eucharist* is to enter the heart of the faith mystery.I. Maria and the Eucharist: The Incarnation
The first foundation of *Maria* and *the Eucharist* is the Incarnation. *Maria* gave flesh to the Word: the same flesh that, in the Eucharist, becomes food for the Church. Without *”Be it done unto me”* in *Maria*, there would be no Incarnation; without Incarnation, no Eucharist. Thus, *Maria* and *the Eucharist* are inextricably linked from the Announcement.II. Maria and the Eucharist in the Magnificat
The *Magnificat* (Luke 1:46-55) is, according to Pope Saint John Paul II, Mary’s Eucharistic canticle. Both emphasize the same theme: God’s glory, remembrance of miracles, and communion with the poor. Each Mass, in the liturgical Eucharist, is a communal Magnificat; each of Mary’s Magnificats is an anticipatory Eucharist.III. Maria and the Eucharist at the Foot of the Cross
The axis of *Maria* and *the Eucharist* is the Cross. On the Cross, Christ offers His body and blood for us; it is this same reality that the Eucharist makes present. *Mary*, at the foot of the Cross, lives her Son’s sacrifice. Here, *Maria* and *the Eucharist* meet: *Mary* is the first to participate in the Eucharistic Calvary.IV. Maria and the Eucharist in the Apostolic Church
Acts 1:14 and 2:42 support *Maria* and *the Eucharist* also in the life of the primitive Church. *Mary* is with the apostles, persevering in *”breaking bread.”* Thus, *Maria* and *the Eucharist* become a constitutive dimension of the Church from its earliest days.V. Maria and the Eucharist Today
To live *Maria* and *the Eucharist* today means to participate in Mass with Mary’s heart: in faith, adoration, and offering. It also means to pray the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament, to consecrate oneself to *Mary* out of love for the Eucharist, and to experience communion as *Mary* does. Delve deeper into *Ecclesia de Eucharistia*, Chapter VI.Deepen your studies: Explore the Mariology portal, Marian Theology, and Eucharistic Mariology on Locus Mariologicus.Post-Graduate Studies in Mariology
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