Virgin Mary

The Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, who is both true God and true man. Because she is the mother of Jesus — Son of God and Second Person of the Blessed Trinity — she is rightly called the Mother of God (Theotokos), a title formally defined by the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD (CCC 495). She is also called "full of grace," "Mother of the Church," "Our Lady," "Blessed Virgin Mary," and the "New Eve" (CCC 722, 726, 963).

Her Role in Salvation

Mary's role in salvation history is unique and unrepeatable. By her free consent — the Fiat at the Annunciation — she became the mother of the Incarnate Word and cooperated in the work of human salvation (CCC 494, 511). The Catechism describes her as "the most excellent fruit of redemption" (CCC 1172) and the supreme model of the Church's own faith and motherhood.

The Four Marian Dogmas

The Catholic Church has defined four dogmas about Mary: (1) the Divine Maternity — she is truly the Mother of God; (2) the Perpetual Virginity — she remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus (CCC 499–501); (3) the Immaculate Conception — she was preserved from Original Sin from the first moment of her conception (CCC 491); and (4) the Assumption — at the end of her earthly life she was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory (CCC 966).

Mary and the Church

Mary is both the model and mother of the Church. In her, the Church already reaches the perfection by which she exists without spot or wrinkle; Christians look to her as a figure of what the whole Church hopes to become (CCC 972, 829).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Catholics worship Mary? No. Catholic teaching carefully distinguishes the worship due to God alone (latria) from the veneration given to Mary and the saints (hyperdulia for Mary, dulia for the saints). Mary is honored above all creatures but is not worshipped — she always directs devotion to her Son (CCC 971).