Day 132: Mary Mother of the Church

By her complete adherence to the Father's will, to his Son's redemptive work, and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church's model of faith and charity. Thus she is a "preeminent and . . . wholly unique member of the Church"; indeed, she is the "exemplary realization" (typus) of the Church. CCC 967

In today's reading, the Catechism covers Mary's "place in the mystery of the Church," having already covered her "role in the mystery of Christ and the Spirit" (CCC 963). In short, she is the Mother of the Church in addition to being Theotokos/Mater Dei. The Catechism Compendium summarizes what the Church believes about her role as the former in the Church:

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of the Church in the order of grace because she gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God, the Head of the body which is the Church. When he was dying on the cross Jesus gave his mother to his disciple with the words, “Behold your mother” (John 19:27). (#196)

She holds a unique role within the Church and is constantly interceding for us with her Son to bring us to Him. Some non-Catholics think that we give her undue veneration. Yet she IS the Mother of God, as the Council of Ephesus rightly declared in 431 A.D. For Mary, Christ is her Lord & Savior and her sweet baby boy (a sentiment shared by most mothers for their children regardless of their age). The Catechism Companion, Vol II notes:

The Church recognizes Mary as the true Mother of God and the mother of all believers... We honor Mary as our "Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix" (CCC 969). As our mother, she continues to bring salvation to all believers. Mary's mediation does not take away from Christ's sole mediation. It is similar to how "the priesthood of Christ is shared ... by his ministers and the faithful (CCC 970). Mary continues to intercede for the salvation of souls. (p. 28)

Byzantine mosaic of the enthroned Theotokos, Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, ca. AD 560