Marian Devotions

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” (Gal. 4:4)

““In the Pauline passage quoted above, the Apostle very discreetly points to the One through whom the Son of God enters the world: Mary of Nazareth, Mother of God, Theotokos.” (Pope Benedict XVI, January 1, 2006)

“The modern woman will note with surprise that Mary of Nazareth, while completely devoted to the will of God, was far from being a timidly submissive woman or one whose piety was repellent to others; on the contrary, she was a woman who did not hesitate to proclaim that God vindicates the humble and the oppressed, and removes the powerful people of this world from their privileged positions.” (Pope Paul VI, Marialis Cultus, #37; Feb. 2, 1974)

Definition

Marian devotions are those prayers and acts undertaken to honor Mary and with the intent of seeking her intercession with her Son, Jesus, and his Father.

History

Devotions to Mary started to develop after the council of Ephesus (431 C.E.) at which Mary was proclaimed Theotokos Mother of God. Although she was acknowledged as a virgin before that time and Ephesus was seen as the place of her last days on earth, more attention at that Council was paid to Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

At the earlier Council of Nicea (325 C.E.), the dogma of Jesus as Son of God had been proclaimed. People then began to seek a “more human” mediator with God whom they could readily approach. The development of Marian devotions met that need.

Since that time many Marian devotions have risen in the Church, ranging from pilgrimages to sites Mary has appeared, to novenas (nine weeks/ days of prayer), to praying the rosary and wearing medals and/or scapulars. We also have built various shrines, including the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. which is so constructed that one comes to Jesus through Mary.

Resources

Websites

Books

  • Jansen, Gary. The Rosary: A Journey to the Beloved. Madison Park Press, 2006.
  • Johnson, Elizabeth. Dangerous Memories: A Mosaic of Mary in Scripture, Continuum 2004.
  • Johnson, Elizabeth. Truly Our Sister: A Theology of Mary in the Communion of Saints. New York: Continuum, 2003.
  • Warner, Marina. Alone of All Her Sex: The Myth and the Cult of the Virgin Mary. New York: Vintage Books, 1983.
  • Eigo, Francis A., O.S.A., ed. “Generations Shall Call Me Blessed”; Proceedings of the Theology Institute (vol. 26) Villanova, PA: Villanova Press, 1994.
  • Many Faces of Mary, a collection of essays edited by Diego Irrarazaval, Susan Ross and Marie-Therese Wacker, Concilium, 2008.

Nurturing Prayer

  • Carry a Rosary with you always and nourish the practice of praying the Rosary privately or with your family daily.
  • Join in a group that prays the Rosary at a local parish
  • Take a virtual tour of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at the website above.