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Blessed Virgin Mary A traditional Catholic picture displayed sometimes in homes. It is sometimes displayed as part of a set. For accompanying image, see the Sacred Heart.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, sometimes shortened to The Blessed Virgin, is a traditional title specifically used by Roman Catholics, Anglo-Catholics and others to describe Mary, the mother of Jesus. It carries with it a belief not merely in the virginity of Mary, but of her continuing role within the church and in the life of ordinary Catholics, for which Roman Catholicism in the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church ( 21 November 1964) passed during the Second Vatican Council granted her the title Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediatrix.
1 The Blessed Virgin Mary in Catholicism
Whereas many branches of Christianity see Mary as a passive historical figure, Catholicism focuses on her as a living entity who can intercede with her son, Jesus Christ, on behalf of humanity. From the beginning of the Church Catholic theology has believed that Christ is the Sole Mediator between God and Man (1 Tim 2:5). Yet as Ludwig Ott observes, "there is nothing to prevent others in a certain way (secundum quid) from being called mediators between God and man, in so far as they, by preparing or serving, cooperate in uniting men to God" (Bk III, Pt. 3, Ch. 3, §7) (emphasis added). Catholic theology proposes that Mary's willed obedience (Lk 1:38) is contrasted with Eve's disobedience (Gn 3:6), an idea with roots in the writings of the Church Fathers. Mary herself required redemption, and is not equal to Christ in Catholic theology. Nonetheless her role was pivotal, as emphasized by St. Jerome, St. Irenaeus inter A.D. 180–199 (see Jurgens §224), Tertullian c. A.D. 212 (see Jurgens §358) and others including herself in Scripture: "behold the handmaid of the Lord" (emphasis added). Mary is also described by St. Ambrose as "the prototype of the Church"[1].
Marian devotions play a key part in the ritual and liturgy of Roman Catholicism, through feast days, special prayers and hymns. Her centrality in Catholic theology has been stressed by popes and saints thoughout the centuries. According to St. Bernard of Clairvaux ( 1090– 1153Events January 6 Henry of Anjou arrives in England. May 24 Malcolm IV becomes King of Scotland. July 9 Anastasius IV becomes pope. Theobald of Bec reconciles Stephen of England and Matilda, ending " The Anarchy" and allowing Matilda's son Henry of Anjou t): "[Mary is called] the gate of heaven, because no one can enter that blessed kingdom without passing through her" while St. BonaventureMedieval philosophers Saint Bonaventura John of Fidanza Franciscan theologian, was born in 1221 at Bagnarea in Tuscany. He was destined by his mother for the church, and is said to have received his cognomen of Bonaventura from St Francis of Assisi, who p ( 1221Centuries: 12th century 13th century 14th century Decades: 1170s 1180s 1190s 1200s 1210s 1220s 1230s 1240s 1250s 1260s 1270s Years: 1216 1217 1218 1219 1220 1221 1222 1223 1224 1225 1226 See also 1221 state leaders Events End of the reign of Emperor Junto– 1274Events May 7 In France the Second Council of Lyons opens to consider the condition of the Holy Land and to agree to a union with the Byzantine church. August 21 Philip III of France marries Marie de Brabant End of the reign of Emperor Kameyama of Japan Em) wrote: "As the moon, which stands between the sun and the earth, transmits to this latter whatever it receives from the former, so does Mary pour out upon us who are in this world the heavenly graces that she receives from the divine sun of justice."
