Blessed Virgin Mary
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Virgin Mary
| Blessed Virgin Mary | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | Multiple (see below) |
| Profession | Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven |
| Patronage | The universal Church; countless dioceses, nations, professions, and personal needs |
| Attributes | Blue mantle, crown of stars, crescent moon, Immaculate Heart, roses, lily, standing on serpent (Immaculate Conception), pregnant with Child Jesus (Annunciation) |
| Birthplace | Tradition places her in Nazareth or Jerusalem |
| Death Place | Tradition places her Dormition/Assumption in Jerusalem or Ephesus) |
| Cause of Death | Assumption (Dormition) – taken body and soul into heavenly glory |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel (major Marian shrine) |
The Blessed Virgin Mary (also known as the Virgin Mary, Our Lady, the Mother of God, Theotokos, Madonna, and by many devotional titles such as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, Immaculate Conception, and Assumption) holds a unique and preeminent place in Catholic doctrine, liturgy, and devotion as the Mother of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Second Person of the Holy Trinity.
According to Sacred Scripture (the Gospels of Matthew and Luke) and the dogmatic teaching of the Church, Mary is the ever-virgin Mother of God (Theotokos), conceived without original sin (Immaculate Conception), who remained sinless throughout her life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life (Assumption), and intercedes for the Church and all humanity as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. These truths are defined dogmas of the Catholic faith:
- Divine motherhood (Theotokos): solemnly affirmed at the Council of Ephesus (431) against Nestorianism.
- Perpetual virginity: affirmed in the Lateran Council (649) and reiterated in Vatican II (*Lumen Gentium*, 57).
- Immaculate Conception: solemnly defined by Pope Pius IX in the bull *Ineffabilis Deus* (December 8, 1854).
- Assumption: solemnly defined by Pope Pius XII in the apostolic constitution *Munificentissimus Deus* (November 1, 1950).
Evidence from Scripture includes the Annunciation (Luke 1:26–38), the Visitation (Luke 1:39–56), the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1–20; Matthew 1–2), her presence at the Cross (John 19:25–27), and her role in the upper room at Pentecost (Acts 1:14). The earliest extra-biblical testimony to her perpetual virginity and special role appears in the Protoevangelium of James (mid-2nd century) and the writings of the Church Fathers (e.g., St. Irenaeus, St. Justin Martyr, St. Ephrem, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine).
As of March 13, 2026, the Catholic Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary with the highest degree of veneration (hyperdulia), distinct from the adoration (latria) due to God alone and the veneration (dulia) given to the saints. Her principal feasts in the General Roman Calendar are:
- Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – January 1
- Annunciation – March 25
- Immaculate Conception – December 8
- Assumption – August 15
Other major Marian solemnities and memorials include the Visitation (May 31), Nativity of Mary (September 8), Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7), Presentation of Mary (November 21), and Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12, optional memorial in the universal calendar, solemnity in Mexico and the Americas). Numerous titles and apparitions (e.g., Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, Akita, Kibeho) have been approved by the Church after rigorous investigation, though belief in private revelations is not obligatory.
Devotion to Mary is expressed through the Rosary, the Angelus, the Litany of Loreto, Marian consecration (e.g., St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe), scapulars, pilgrimages, and art (icons, statues, paintings). She is invoked under hundreds of titles as patroness of nations, dioceses, professions, and personal needs (e.g., mothers, travelers, the sick, the dying, the Church universal).
This reflects the defined dogmas, Sacred Scripture, the Tradition of the Church, and the ordinary magisterium (e.g., Lumen Gentium ch. 8, Redemptoris Mater of John Paul II). For specific titles, apparitions, or devotional practices, consult primary Church documents (e.g., Vatican II, papal encyclicals, the Roman Missal, or the Catechism of the Catholic Church §§ 963–975, 2673–2679) or authoritative sources such as the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Biography
Birth
This cannot be confirmed from historical documents. Sacred Tradition and pious belief place her birth around 18–20 BC, likely in Nazareth or Jerusalem, daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne (feast September 8 – Nativity of Mary).
Early Life
This cannot be confirmed historically. The Protoevangelium of James (2nd century apocryphal text) describes her early consecration to God and upbringing in the Temple, but this is not part of the canonical deposit of faith.
Occupation
According to the Gospels, Mary lived a hidden life in Nazareth as wife of Saint Joseph and mother of Jesus, until the public ministry of Christ.
Vocation
Her vocation was the divine motherhood: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). She is the first and perfect disciple, cooperating fully in the work of redemption.
Death
This cannot be confirmed historically. The Church teaches the dogma of the Assumption (Munificentissimus Deus, 1950): at the end of her earthly life, Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Tradition speaks of her Dormition (falling asleep) in Jerusalem or Ephesus.
Significant events
- Annunciation (March 25) – conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
- Visitation to Elizabeth (May 31) – Magnificat.
- Nativity of Jesus (December 25).
- Presentation in the Temple (February 2).
- Finding in the Temple (lost and found at age 12).
- Wedding at Cana (first miracle at her intercession).
- Standing at the Cross (John 19:25–27) – entrusted to St. John.
- Pentecost (Acts 1:14) – present with the apostles.
- Assumption (August 15) – body and soul into heaven.
- Approved apparitions (e.g., Guadalupe 1531, Lourdes 1858, Fatima 1917).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Tradition places her Dormition/Assumption in Jerusalem or Ephesus)
Notable location: Traditional site of the Annunciation (Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel)
Notable location: Traditional site of her Dormition/Assumption (Church of the Dormition, Mount Zion, Jerusalem)
Notable location: Traditional place of her final earthly residence (per tradition of St. John) (House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus, Turkey)
Notable location: Site of approved Marian apparition (1531) (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City, Mexico)
Notable location: Site of approved Marian apparitions (1858) (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes, France)
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Parishes
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Media
Shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
Major approved Marian shrines (examples; many more exist):
Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth
- Built over the traditional site of the Annunciation. Major pilgrimage center, designated for devotion and Masses.
- Pilgrimage details: Nazareth; Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
- Fact: Site of the Incarnation.
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City
- Site of approved apparition to St. Juan Diego (1531). One of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world.
- Pilgrimage details: Mexico City; Archdiocese of Mexico.
- Fact: Image of Our Lady on St. Juan Diego’s tilma.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes, France
- Site of approved apparitions to St. Bernadette Soubirous (1858).
- Pilgrimage details: Lourdes; Diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes.
- Fact: Spring of miraculous healings.
Canonization
Pre-congregation veneration; her unique role defined dogmatically (Mother of God, Immaculate Conception, Assumption).
Miracles
Countless miracles attributed to her intercession throughout history, including approved Eucharistic miracles, healings at Lourdes (recognized by the International Medical Committee of Lourdes), and the miracle of the tilma at Guadalupe (scientifically inexplicable preservation).
Patronage
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the universal patroness of the Church, all humanity, and countless specific causes, dioceses, nations, professions, and needs (e.g., mothers, travelers, the sick, aviators, the United States under the title of Immaculate Conception).
Feast day
Principal solemnities and memorials:
- January 1 – Mary, Mother of God
- March 25 – Annunciation
- August 15 – Assumption
- December 8 – Immaculate Conception
Many other titles and local feasts exist.
Veneration
The Blessed Virgin Mary is venerated with hyperdulia (highest veneration given to any creature), expressed through the Rosary, Angelus, Litany of Loreto, Marian consecration, scapulars, pilgrimages, art, and music. Her images (e.g., Our Lady of Guadalupe, Salus Populi Romani) are widely honored.
Books
Written about the saint
- Sacred Scripture (Gospels of Matthew and Luke).
- Catechism of the Catholic Church §§ 963–975.
- Pope St. John Paul II, *Redemptoris Mater* (1987).
- St. Louis de Montfort, *True Devotion to Mary*.
Written by the saint
None (no writings attributed to her in the canonical tradition).