God’s Truth From The Catechism Of The Catholic Church – cont.
970 "Mary's function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation
of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin's salutary influence on men . . .
flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends
entirely on it, and draws all its power from it."
513
"No creature could ever be counted along with
the Incarnate Word and Redeemer; but just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various
ways both by his ministers and the faithful, and as the one goodness of God is radiated in
different ways among his creatures, so also the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not
exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one
source."
514
II. DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN
971 "All generations will call me blessed": "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is
intrinsic to Christian worship."
515
The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special
devotion.
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."
516
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.
517
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,"
518
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.
519
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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