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[[Image:Asuncion D.jpg|thumb|left| '''Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary''']]

'''Mary''' (Greek: Μαρία) is the name of the mother of our Lord, [[Jesus Christ|Jesus of Nazareth]]. In the gospel accounts, Jesus was born in [[Bethlehem]] of [[Judea]] to a young virgin, by the [[Holy Spirit]]. The [[gospel of Matthew]] describes Mary's virginity as fulfilling the prophecy of [[Isaiah]] 7:14. The [[gospel of Luke]] relates that the angel Gabriel visited Mary in order to announce to her that she had been chosen to bear the [[Son of God]].<ref>Luke 1:26–38</ref>

The Blessed '''Virgin Mary''' is the mother of Our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]. The veneration of Mary is an essential belief of the [[Catholic Church]]. Mary is also venerated by Eastern [[Orthodox Church]] and Anglo-Catholicism. This veneration could take the form of prayer for intercession with her Son, Jesus.  Many [[Protestantism|Protestants]], however, believe that the veneration of Mary is counter to what the Bible teaches.  

 

[[Image:Christ.gif|right]]

While Jesus was hanging on the cross, "there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own" (John 19:25-27).

 

{{cquote|''Jesus was in the grave for three days. After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of Jesus), and Salome prepared spices to anoint Jesus' body. When they arrived at the tomb, the stone had already been rolled away! They entered the tomb, where an angel said, "Don't be alarmed. . .You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you'" (Mark 16:6-7).'' <ref> 

[http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/crucifixion-of-jesus-christ.htm Crucifixion of Jesus Christ - His Burial and Resurrection]</ref>}}

 

The veneration of Mary is an essential belief of the [[Catholic Church]]. Mary is also venerated by Eastern [[Orthodox Church]] and Anglo-Catholicism. This veneration could take the form of prayer for intercession with her Son, Jesus.  Many [[Protestantism|Protestants]], however, believe that the veneration of Mary is counter to what the Bible teaches.  

<ref>[http://www.eich.com/allan/Catholics%20and%20Protestants%20believe.htm The Saints and the Virgin Mary]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.eich.com/allan/Catholics%20and%20Protestants%20believe.htm The Saints and the Virgin Mary]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.letusreason.org/RC8.htm Problems with the Mary of Roman Catholicism]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.letusreason.org/RC8.htm Problems with the Mary of Roman Catholicism]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=mary2 Cult of Mary - Part Two]</ref> For years, when it comes to Mary, Catholics and Protestants have been quite contrary. However, there are growing signs that differences over Mary are becoming less apparent. Many Protestant leaders are reevaluating and saying a greater emphasis on Mary needs to be considered. <ref>[http://www.understandthetimes.org/current_transcripts/text/mar2007/2175.shtml Understand The Times MARYIANITY] by Roger Oakland  </ref>

<ref>[http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=mary2 Cult of Mary - Part Two]</ref> For years, when it comes to Mary, Catholics and Protestants have been quite contrary. However, there are growing signs that differences over Mary are becoming less apparent. Many Protestant leaders are reevaluating and saying a greater emphasis on Mary needs to be considered. <ref>[http://www.understandthetimes.org/current_transcripts/text/mar2007/2175.shtml Understand The Times MARYIANITY] by Roger Oakland  </ref>

Mary's passage into Heaven is celebrated by Roman Catholics as The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25 and August 15). This Feast is a Public Holiday in many countries. In 1950, [[Pope Pius XII]] formally declared to be dogma the belief in the corporeal assumption of Mary. ''The Orthodox Church expresses reverence toward the Blessed Virgin by the many feast days commemorating the various events in Her life. In prayers the Virgin Mary is called Theotokos, which in Greek means the Mother of God, since the One Who was born from Her was at the time of conception and always will be the true God.''<ref>[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/mary.htm Honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary]</ref>

 

Mary's passage into Heaven is celebrated by Roman Catholics as The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25 and August 15). This Feast is a Public Holiday in many countries. In 1950, [[Pope Pius XII]] formally declared to be dogma the belief in the corporeal assumption of Mary. ''The Orthodox Church expresses reverence toward the Blessed Virgin by the many feast days commemorating the various events in Her life. In prayers the Virgin Mary is called Theotokos, which in Greek means the Mother of God, since the One Who was born from Her was at the time of conception and always will be the true God.''

<ref>[http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/mary.htm Honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary]</ref>

''Scripture and tradition agree in ascribing to Mary the greatest personal sanctity; She is conceived without the stain of original sin; She shows the greatest humility and patience in her daily life (Luke 1:38, 48); She exhibits an heroic patience under the most trying circumstances (Luke 2:7, 35, 48; John 19:25-27)... within the first fifty years after the death of St. John the veneration of Mary is proved to have flourished in the Church of Rome.'' <ref>  

{{cquote|''Scripture and tradition agree in ascribing to Mary the greatest personal sanctity; She is conceived without the stain of original sin; She shows the greatest humility and patience in her daily life (Luke 1:38, 48); She exhibits an heroic patience under the most trying circumstances (Luke 2:7, 35, 48; John 19:25-27)... within the first fifty years after the death of St. John the veneration of Mary is proved to have flourished in the Church of Rome.'' <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15464b.htm Catholic Encyclopedia.]</ref>}}

[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15464b.htm Catholic Encyclopedia.]</ref>  

 

=== Marian Prayers ===

== Crucifixion == 

 

 

== Marian Prayers ==

  [[Image:Virgen.jpg|right|Virgin Mary and Child]]

  [[Image:Virgen.jpg|right|Virgin Mary and Child]]

The [http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/maryrosary.html Rosary] combines vocal prayer and meditation centered around sequences of reciting the Lord's Prayer followed by ten recitations of the "Hail Mary" prayer and a single recitation of "Glory Be to the Father".  

The [http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/maryrosary.html Rosary] combines vocal prayer and meditation centered around sequences of reciting the Lord's Prayer followed by ten recitations of the "Hail Mary" prayer and a single recitation of "Glory Be to the Father".  

The prayer "Hail Mary" has its roots in Luke I:42 where Elizabeth (who is Mary's cousin) salutes Mary and in Luke I:28 where the Arch Angel Gabriel salutes Mary.

The prayer "Hail Mary" has its roots in Luke 1:42 where Elizabeth (who is Mary's cousin) salutes Mary and in Luke 1:28 where the Arch Angel Gabriel salutes Mary.

 

== Major Apparitions ==

=== Major Apparitions ===

[[Image:Fatima.jpg|right]]

[[Image:Fatima.jpg|right]]

*[http://www.memorare.com/mary/app1531.html Guadalupe, 1531]

*[http://www.memorare.com/mary/app1531.html Guadalupe, 1531]

In the US, '''Lady of Prompt Succor''', (New Orleans, United States, 1809). Wind-blown fire changes directions, sparing the convent; President of the United States [[Andrew Jackson]] credits the Lady with the victory in the famous Battle of [[New Orleans]] in 1815.

In the US, '''Lady of Prompt Succor''', (New Orleans, United States, 1809). Wind-blown fire changes directions, sparing the convent; President of the United States [[Andrew Jackson]] credits the Lady with the victory in the famous Battle of [[New Orleans]] in 1815.

 

===See also===

== See also ==

 

*[[Mary Magdalene]]  

*[[Mary Magdalene]]  

*[[Our Lady of Guadalupe]]

*[[Our Lady of Guadalupe]]

*[[Ave Maria]]

*[[Ave Maria]]

*[[Annunciation]]

*[[Annunciation]]

== External links ==

== External links ==

[[Image:Mary Flag.jpg|right]]

[[Image:Mary Flag.jpg|right]]

*[http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=8318 Feast of the Holy Name of Mary]

*[http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=8318 Feast of the Holy Name of Mary]

*[http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/aboutmary2.html The Mary Page] About Mary.

*[http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/aboutmary2.html The Mary Page] About Mary.

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]

[[Category:Bible study]]

[[Category:Bible study]]