Who is the Blessed Virgin Mary?

Who is the Blessed Virgin Mary?

As the month of August comes to a close, let us look back at this month and carry the learnings and virtues exemplified by Mother Mary. August is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and this month we will also celebrate the Assumption and Queenship of the Blessed Mother.

The first impression When I was a kid

I came to know about her presence in the church by praying the rosary together as a family. As a kid, the lines were blurry when it comes to praying for her intercession or worshiping her. It was not really explained to me when I was a child. I thought she was equal to God and the reason we pray the rosary is to worship her. I understand how non-Catholics would have this perception if no one explained it to them too. Not until I got married that I learned about Mary's role in the Catholic church. She is the Mother of Jesus, and as Jesus entrusted to St. John the beloved, she is our Mother too.

What the Holy Bible says about Mary

The Virgin Mary is referred to several times in the Bible and first mentioned in the Annunciation when the angel Gabriel appeared to her (Luke 1:26-38).

-When she visited her cousin Elizabeth and stayed there for three months (Luke 1:39). 

-During the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-12).

-She was also present during the presentation of Jesus in the temple, (Luke 2:22-40).

-Mary and Joseph were troubled when Jesus was lost and found Him after three days in the temple. (Luke 2: 41-52).

-Mary was mentioned also in the wedding of Cana when she approached Jesus saying “they are running out of wine”, and Jesus did the first miracle by turning the water into wine (John 2:1-11).

-Mary appeared too during the passion and death of Jesus (John 19:25-29).

-She was also present at the feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended with the followers of Jesus (Acts 2:1-11). These are the main accounts of the Bible in which Mary is mentioned.

Facts about Mary

- She was from Nazareth, Galilee - Married to St. Joseph

- Mother of Jesus

- The daughter of St. Anne and St. Joachim

- Cousin of Elizabeth

- Queen of the Apostles

- Friend of Mary of Magdalene

- A housewife, and a mother.

- Was born Immaculate, free from original sin.

Her life as a mother and a wife

Can you imagine Mother Mary's life as a mother to Jesus and a wife to St. Joseph? There's not that much mentioned in detail on how she lived, how she cooked, did laundry on the clothes, etc. Maybe she's doing the household most of the time while Joseph and Jesus did the carpentry work. I could picture her sweet way of doing these things with joy and love for our Lord. Did she get tired? Probably yes. She's human like us too. When I think of it, how would a mother of God do her chores like any other normal person? Isn't it appropriate for them to live in a big house with servants? C’mon, she's the mother of our Lord. Well, God knows better than me. It is part of God’s plan that Jesus should be born into a poor family so people may be inspired not by their wealth but by their richness in virtues and holiness. The life of Mary is very much connected with the life of our earthly mother, it is joyful and sacrificial. Isn't it? Like our earthly mother, her life was never an easy task. Imagine that God entrusted her with the most difficult task we could ever imagine, that of becoming a living tabernacle carrying the divine Son of God. But as the Mother of Jesus, that does not spare her from humiliation and great sorrow. As accounted in Luke 2:34-35, "And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” You can just imagine Mary's strength and faith in God, knowing what is to come, Jesus' passion, crucifixion, and death. As a parent, I can feel the pain of losing a child at an early age. Her heart was pierced with a sword by this great sorrow. Dealing with these trials is not ordinary; virtues and faith such as Mary are necessary.

Here are the 10 Virtues of Mary

Most Pure (Mt 1:18, 20, 23;)

Most Prudent(Lk 2:19; 51)

Most Humble (Lk 1:48)

Most Faithful ( Lk 1:45; Jn 2:5)

Most Devout (Lk 1:46-47; Acts 1:14)

Most Obedient (Lk 1:38; 2:21-22; 27)

Most Poor (Lk 2:7) Most Patient (Jn 19:25)

Most Merciful (Lk 1:39, 56)

Most Sorrowful (Lk 2:35)

Apparitions of Mary and her messages for us

These virtues of Mary serve as an example of holiness. We should emulate it with our desire for righteousness and be faithful to our daily prayers to God. Mary's role as Mother of Jesus does not stop there after Jesus' crucifixion. Before Jesus died on the cross, he said to His disciples, “Behold your Mother” (John 19:27). Indeed, she is our Mother. God has given us a mother to whom we can turn when we need it most in times of pain. We need her divine Motherly care as sinners as we are. We need her prayers. In revealing His Mother to us, we might believe in Him and the sanctification of many.

Sharing with you the major Apparitions of Mary that are recognised and approved by the Catholic church.

1. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico (1531) Seers: St. Juan Diego, Juan Bernardino, Approved- 1555

Message- "Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?"

2. Our Lady of the Miraculous medal (Our Lady of all Graces), Paris, France (1830) Seers: Catherine Laboure, Approved 1836,

Message -"I feel so happy to be able to help the children who begs me for protection. But so many do not ever come to me!"

3. Our Lady of La Salette, La Salette-Fallavaux, France, 1846, Seers: Melanie Calvat, Maximin, Giraud, Approved Sept 19, 1851,

Message"- People do not observe the Day of theLord. They continue to work without ceasing on Sundays. Only some older women go to Mass in the summer. And in the winter, when there is nothing else to do, they go to Church to ridicule religion. Lenten time is ignored. Men swear, taking the Name of God in vain. The disobedience and disregard of God's commandments are the things that make the hand of My Son heavier”

4. Our Lady of Lourdes (Immaculate conception), Lourdes, France, 1858, Seers Bernadette Soubirous, Approved Jan 18, 1862,

Message- "Penance! Penance! Penance! Pray to God for sinners. Kiss the ground as an act of penance for sinners!" 5. Our lady of Fatima, Fatima, Portugal, 1917, Seers: Lucia Santos, Jacinta Marto, Francisco Marto, Approved Oct. 13, 1930 Message "I want you to come here on the 13th of next month, to continue to pray the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war, because only she can help you." We should heed her messages for the salvation of our souls.

Truly our Mother cared for us in so many ways. Her immaculate heart is full of joy, love, and sorrow for us sinners. She is the first who actually knows what TLC is all about, She is a Mother with Tender, Loving and her care for all mankind. Wrong notions about Mary Catholics worship Mary as a God. No, Catholics do not worship Mary equal to God, we worship God alone. We honor Mary as the Mother of Jesus Catholics pray to Mary We pray to Mary and the Saints asking for their intercession as they are God’s closest people. We did not pray to Mary and the Saints as if they are God or equal to God. But we honored them and we're inspired by their holy lives.

Mary’s famous quotes from the bible

-Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

-Luke 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

-Luke 1:46-49 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

-John 2:3-5 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

-Luke 1:48 For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.

Marian Prayers

Holy Rosary

Hail Holy Queen

Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Prayer to the immaculate heart of Mary

Consecration to Mary

The Magnificat

Prayer to our lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Perpetual help

Prayer of the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Regina Caeli (O Queen of Heaven)

The Memorare

Marian Novenas

(https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/marian-novenas-76)

Marian feast

January 1 — Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Holy day of Obligation)

January 8 — Our Lady of Prompt Succor

February 2 — Presentation of the Lord

February 11 — Our Lady of Lourdes

March 25 — Annunciation

May 13 — Our Lady of Fatima

May 31 — Visitation

June 27 — Our Mother of Perpetual Help

July 16. — Our Lady of Mount Carmel

August 15 — Assumption (Holy day of Obligation)

August 22 — Queenship of Mary

September 8 — Birth of Mary

September 12 — The Most Holy Name of Mary

September 15 — Our Lady of Sorrows

October 7 — Our Lady of the Rosary (Month of Rosary)

November 21 — Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 12 — Our Lady of Guadalupe The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the Saturday following the Second Sunday after Pentecost.

The First Saturday of each Month is dedicated to Marian Devotions. Jesus gave us the Holy Mother Mary as our spiritual mother because He knows that we need her care. We need Mary to draw near to Jesus... the direct way to Jesus.

My wife and I bear witness to the way Mary helped us. This was in 2013 when we prayed for her intercession that my wife would conceive. We are having difficulties then and we would like to have a child after trying for three years. Exactly in October 2013 (Month of the Rosary), we decided to pray the Holy Rosary without missing it every day. This was one of my deepest prayers to God and after two months of persistence to trust God, my wife conceived. It was an experienced miracle with our Mother. For me, it is powerful when you pray to God through her Mother. Our God is faithful... just trust and believe that He can work miracles in our lives. Every day, I feel her presence. She is my divine mother and my companion. Let's pray to Jesus through our Blessed Mother. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us sinners!