Mary, Our Holy Mother: Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church Christian Initiation of Adults: A Catechumenate Class © 2008 Terry Modica, Catholic Digital Resources – catholicdr.com Why do we say Mary is the Church’s Most Perfect Member?

In examining why we say Mary is the Church’s most perfect member, we will cover: Why Mary is called “The Mother of God” Why Mary is called “The Mother of the Church” Why Mary is called “The Virgin" Why Mary is called “The Second Eve" Why Mary is called "The Immaculate Conception" Why we believe Mary was “assumed” directly to heaven without experiencing death Mary, Our Holy Mother

In examining why we say Mary is the Church’s most perfect member, we will cover:

Why Mary is called “The Mother of God”

Why Mary is called “The Mother of the Church”

Why Mary is called “The Virgin"

Why Mary is called “The Second Eve"

Why Mary is called "The Immaculate Conception"

Why we believe Mary was “assumed” directly to heaven without experiencing death

The Salvation Story starts with our first mother, Eve. Q: Why is Eve called “our first mother”? Eve was the first sinner of humankind. Death entered the world. God set forth a plan to rescue us from this. Read: Genesis 3:13-15 The serpent is the devil, whose eventual defeat is implied in the contrast between head and heel. 1 John 3:8 From among the descendants of Eve, God chose Mary as the perfect mother for the Redeemer. Mary, Our Holy Mother

The Salvation Story starts with

our first mother, Eve.

Q: Why is Eve called “our first mother”?

Eve was the first sinner of humankind.

Death entered the world.

God set forth a plan to rescue us from this.

Read: Genesis 3:13-15

The serpent is the devil, whose eventual defeat is implied in the contrast between head and heel.

1 John 3:8

From among the descendants of Eve, God chose Mary as the perfect mother for the Redeemer.

Mary is called the "Mother of the Church" because… We who believe in Jesus for salvation are adopted into the family of Christ. God the Father sent Jesus the Son into the world to start the Christian (Christ’s) Church. Read Luke 1:26-38 Mary is the mother of Jesus Mary is therefore the Mother of the Church … and she is therefore your own personal mother by your adoption into the family of God. Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and his role in creating and sustaining the Church. Mary, Our Holy Mother

Mary is called the "Mother of the Church" because…

We who believe in Jesus for salvation are adopted into the family of Christ.

God the Father sent Jesus the Son into the world to start the Christian (Christ’s) Church.

Read Luke 1:26-38

Mary is the mother of Jesus

Mary is therefore the Mother of the Church …

and she is therefore your own personal mother by your adoption into the family of God.

Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and his role in creating and sustaining the Church.

Mary is called the "Virgin Mary" because… She was a virgin when her Son was conceived. She was still a virgin when she gave birth to him. She remained a virgin throughout her life. How can this be true? Doesn't the Bible mention the brothers and sisters of Jesus? Mary, Our Holy Mother

Mary is called the "Virgin Mary" because…

She was a virgin when her Son was conceived.

She was still a virgin when she gave birth to him.

She remained a virgin throughout her life.

How can this be true? Doesn't the Bible mention the brothers and sisters of Jesus?

Mary is called the "Virgin Mary" because… Read Matthew 13:55 The Church has always understood this passage as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary. Why? Matt. 28:1 James and Joseph, "brothers of Jesus," are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ, whom St. Matthew calls "the other Mary." They are "kinsmen" (close relations) of Jesus, according to an Old Testament expression. Matt. 27:56 If you look for every reference of James in the Gospels, you'll see that Mary the mother of Jesus is not his mother. Matt. 27:55 Mary the mother of Jesus was at the foot of the cross; she was not with these other ladies who were watching from a distance. Mary, Our Holy Mother

Mary is called the "Virgin Mary" because…

Read Matthew 13:55

The Church has always understood this passage as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary. Why?

Matt. 28:1 James and Joseph, "brothers of Jesus," are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ, whom St. Matthew calls "the other Mary."

They are "kinsmen" (close relations) of Jesus, according to an Old Testament expression.

Matt. 27:56 If you look for every reference of James in the Gospels, you'll see that Mary the mother of Jesus is not his mother.

Matt. 27:55 Mary the mother of Jesus was at the foot of the cross; she was not with these other ladies who were watching from a distance.

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