Catechism
#484-511, 829, 963-975,
1674, 2617-22, 2673-82, 2708
CPPoole,
Jr,.
1. Mary the Mother of God
2. Scripture Background
3. Tradition
4. Devotions to Mary
5. More Devotions to Mary
6. Apparitions
7. Patroness
1. Mary
the Mother of God
Mary is the
perfect model for our imitation
Especially
appropriate for our veneration
We do not
adore Mary
We venerate
her as the greatest saint
She has
various titles, such as
Blessed Mother, Blessed Virgin,
Ever Virgin, Mother of God,
Mother of the Church, Our Lady,
Our Lady of
Queen of Heaven
She has
several feast days
2.
Scripture Background:
Annunciation by the angel Gabriel
Mary's
Canticle of Praise (Magnificat)
Visit to
Elizabeth and the Canticle of
Zachariah (Benedictus)
Birth of
Jesus, Visit of the Shepherds
Coming of
the Magi, Escape to Egypt,
Slaughter of the Holy
Innocents
Presentation
in the Temple
Finding in
the Temple
Miracle at
the Marriage Feast at Cana
On the
cross Jesus said to John the apostle
"This is your mother"
Mary in the
upper room with the apostles
References
Mt ch. 1 and 2; Lk ch. 1 and 2; Jn ch. 2
3.
Tradition
Council of
Ephesus in 431 declared
Mary to be the Mother of God
(Theotokos, God Bearer)
Perpetual
Virginity; she had no other
children besides Jesus
The
brothers and sisters mentioned in
scripture were cousins of Jesus
Immaculate
Conception doctrine 1854
Mary was preserved from original sin
Assumption
doctrine proclaimed 1950
Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven
4.
Devotions to Mary
The Rosary, we think about or meditate
on the
event of a mystery as we recite prayers
Joyful
mysteries: Annunciation,
Visitation, Nativity, Presentation in
the
Sorrowful
mysteries: Agony in the Garden,
Scourging, Crowning with Thorns,
Carrying the Cross, Crucifixion
Glorious
mysteries: Resurrection,
Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit,
Assumption, Coronation
Luminous mysteries:
Baptism, Miracle at
Proclamation of the Kingdom,
Transfiguration,
Institution of the Eucharist
The Angelus
commemorating the Incarnation,
is said morning,
5. More
Devotions to Mary
First Saturday devotion, confession and
communion for 5 successive months,
dates from
Litany of Blessed Mother (Litany of Loretto)
Novena recalls 9 day period of prayer by
disciples of Jesus in the upper room
awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit
A popular novena is in honor of our Lady of
Perpetual Help
6. Apparitions
Guadalupe, a shrine near Mexico City,
Mary appeared to Juan Diego 1531,
her image is on his cloak at the
shrine
Lourdes in France 1844, appearance to
Bernadette, identified herself as
"I am the Immaculate
Conception"
many healing miracles occurred
Fatima in
Portugal 1917, appearance to
Lucia dos Santos and two cousins
"Our Lady of the Rosary"
Medjugorge
in Bosnia for past two
decades, not official, but many
have visited the shrine
7.
Patroness
Mary is
patroness of several countries:
Australia (Our Lady Help of Christians)
Philippines (Sacred Heart of Mary)
Mexico (Our Lady of Guadalupe)
Poland (Our Lady of Czestochowa)
United States (Immaculate Conception)
We, like
our recent Pope John Paul II,
Should foster a special devotion to
the Blessed Mother in our lives.
CPPoole,
Jr,.