Copyright © 2006 By Doug Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.
Catechism Of The Catholic Church Reprinted With Permission.
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God’s Truth From The Catechism Of The Catholic Church – cont.
From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,'
to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . .
differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father
and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration."
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The liturgical feasts dedicated to the
Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel," express
this devotion to the Virgin Mary.
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III. MARY - ESCHATOLOGICAL ICON OF THE CHURCH
972 After speaking of the Church, her origin, mission, and destiny, we can find no better way to
conclude than by looking to Mary. In her we contemplate what the Church already is in her mystery
on her own "pilgrimage of faith," and what she will be in the homeland at the end of her journey.
There, "in the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity," "in the communion of all the saints,"
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the Church is awaited by the one she venerates as Mother of her Lord and as her own mother.
In the meantime the Mother of Jesus, in the glory which she possesses in body and soul in heaven,
is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come. Likewise she
shines forth on earth until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the
pilgrim People of God.
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IN BRIEF
973 By pronouncing her "fiat" at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary
was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever
he is Savior and head of the Mystical Body.
974 The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken
up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's
Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body.
975 "We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in
heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ" (Paul VI, CPG § 15).
Consult the Catechism for a list of all the source documents and citations used to prepare this section.
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