One of the earliest titles given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Christians was Theotokos- “God-bearer”. We celebrate her as the Mother of God because she bore the only begotten Son of God. Honoring Mary as the Mother of God is older than the official dogmatic confirmation in the Council of Ephesus in 431. Our Catholic Church has given the due place and bestowed the honor to Mother Mary by declaring 1 January, the first day of the New Year as the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. On this Day, especially we remind ourselves as Christians of the role that the Blessed Virgin Mary played in the marvelous Plan of our Salvation.
Some Christians may not be of the same opinion that the Catholic Church has elevated Mary as the Mother of God. Their argument, the Bible does speak of her with this title. They are not fully wrong. The Bible makes no dogmatic statement on the Mother of God. However, the same Bible bears witness to the fact that Elisabeth filled with the Holy Spirit calls Mary the Mother of God. Elisabeth exclaimed in a loud voice. “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Child you bear! But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1, 42-42). Mary is a creature of God, chosen by God to bear the Creator. The belief in the Incarnation of the Word is a prerequisite to believe in Mary as the Mother of God. If Mary had not given birth to the Son of God, then she cannot be called as the Mother of God. St. Paul explained it in his Letter to the Galatians, as he wrote. “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father!” (Gal 4,4-6). In his encyclical on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the pilgrim Church “Redemptoris mater” 1987, Pope John Paul II gives a succinct summary of the Role and Gift of Mary in the Plan of God. He goes through the scriptural texts, the Sacred Tradition, the Church Councils and the Magisterial teachings. The Pontiff reiterates that it is only in the mystery of Christ is her mystery fully made clear. “The Council of Ephesus (431) was of decisive importance in clarifying this, for during that Council, to the great joy of Christians, the truth of the divine motherhood of Mary was solemnly confirmed as a truth of the Church´s Faith. Mary is the Mother of God (=Theotókos), since by the power of the Holy Spirit she conceived in her virginal womb and brought into the world Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is of one being with the Father” (Redemptoris mater, 4).
Maria as Mediatrix
The Second Vatican Council in his “dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen gentium” spoke in the eighth chapter about the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The whole Church honors Mary as a pre-eminent and wholly unique member of the Church, and as a model in Faith, Hope, and Charity. Mary fulfills the Role as an Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix (Nr. 62). She is truly the mediatrix because she serves as an intermediary between God and the People of God. It is through her Mediation that Jesus entered the World. Mother Mary does not replace Christ and His Mediation, but she facilitates and supports the Mission of Christ. The Vatican Document states, “But Mary´s function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin´s salutary influence on men originates not in any inner necessity but the disposition of God” (Nr. 60).
Mother Mary in the life of St. Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850)
Like many holy people and followers of Jesus, Pallotti was an ardent devotee of Mary, the Mother of God. His devotion to her went far beyond the pious practices and prayers of the time. He addressed her as “the Mother of Divine Love” and the “Queen of the Apostles”. He has avowed, “I shall not rest until I, if this is possible, have achieved an infinitely tender love for my much beloved and much loving mother, Mary.” Santa Maria is a bridge to God. She connects us to Christ, leads us to God. She is not just like a signpost or a destination board. She goes with us the way. She was the unifying factor, among the Apostles and Disciples of Christ after the Good Friday. She is the facilitator of prayer and hope in the upper room. The Holy Spirit descended on her and the Apostles. Vincent Pallotti saw Maria as an Apostle. She too received the mandate to proclaim Christ and His Gospel. Pallotti saw in Maria as a Modell for all the baptized. Like her, everyone can be an Apostle. An Apostle is the one, who is sent out to proclaim Christ in his or her life through one´s words, deeds, and way of life.
Prayer to Mother Mary
Mother of our God and our dear Mother, you were open to the Spirit of God and you trusted fully in the providence of God. Help me, Mother to be like you, a vessel of Grace and the messenger of God´s Love and mercy. Help me to follow Jesus as you did, always saying Yes to God and His Will. Amen
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