TITLES AND TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH ABOUT MARY

The Church honours Mary with titles such as Our Lady, Mother of God, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Blessed Mother, Mother of the Church, Ever Virgin, Queen of Heaven and Earth. These titles reflect what the Church believes and teaches about her.

As our loving Mother, Mary continues to Intercede for us before her Son, our Lord Jesus. This is why the Church also prays to her under the titles; Advocate Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix.

 

1. MOTHER OF GOD/MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

With the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church reflecting on the identity of Jesus Christ teaches that Jesus Christ has two natures: Divine and Human. Furthermore, the early Church taught that Jesus was divine from the very moment of conception, as  such, the council of Ephesus in AD 431 solemnly pronounced Mary as “Mother of God” Theo-tokos, that is “bearer of God”

As mother of Jesus, Mary is invariably truly the mother of God. Mary is also the mother of all Christians and the mother of the Church. This is a title given to her even by her Son Jesus Christ when he was hung on the cross, He (Jesus) gave His mother to all people as their spiritual mother in his words: “This is your mother, this is your son”.– John 19:27.

Mary is considered scripturally the new Eve who fully cooperated with the Holy Spirit to bring Jesus into the world and the world to Christ. By giving Mary to us as mother, the Lord wishes the child to learn what God does for those he loves. The Church as a mother also has a maternal role. The Church therefore has lots to learn from Mary to transmit to her Son’s obedience, perfect charity, faith, fidelity, compassion, service, prayerfulness. Mary is the model of Christian holiness and an image of God’s love for his people.