M ARY, THE M OTHER OF J ESUS The Immaculate Conception …from the moment of her conception and by grace from God and the virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Mary was preserved from Original Sin.

M ARY ’ S ROLE WAS TO BRING J ESUS INTO THE WORLD. S HE SAID YES TO G OD THROUGH THE A NGEL G ABRIEL IN THE “A NNUNCIATION.” Mary holds a special place in the Communion of Saints. Mary prays for us to her son Jesus. This shows Mary’s obedience to God.

M ARY INTERCEDES FOR US IN H EAVEN. Catholics ask Mary to pray for us and to intercede with God on our behalf. Mary and the saints present our prayers to God. Only God can answer prayer, but Mary enjoys a special closeness to her Son and can present our needs to him. Mary is faithful and faith-filled!

HAIL MARY Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. The Traditional prayer called the “Hail Mary.” Adapted from scripture from Luke 1:28-35, Catholics pray this prayer to Mary for help, guidance and faith.

Newer version: Hail Mary, full of grace. Our Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

M ARY IS REVERED AS THE FIRST DISCIPLE OF J ESUS. Mary was the first to receive Jesus in this world. Mary cooperated with God’s plan of Redemption in sending Christ to be our Savior. (Yes, Lord!) Mary was loyal to God.

M ARY IS THE M OTHER OF G OD AND THE MOTHER OF THE C HURCH. Since she is the first disciple, by her life and her example, we too can be disciples by saying “yes to God” and no to sin.

M ARY SHARED IN J ESUS ’ LIFE. She was with him as he performed his first miracle (The wedding Feast at Cana). She was present at his crucifixion, standing near the cross. Mary showed compassion and love.

A FTER HIS RESURRECTION, M ARY WAS AMONG THE DISCIPLES “ CONSTANTLY DEVOTING THEMSELVES TO PRAYER ” (A CTS 1:14). PENTECOST. When the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and Mary. It celebrates the birth of the Church. Mary showed constancy in prayer.

A T THE END OF HER LIFE M ARY WAS TAKEN UP, BODY AND SOUL, INTO H EAVEN WHERE SHE SHARES IN THE GLORY OF J ESUS ’ RESURRECTION. This is known as the Assumption of Mary into heaven.

T HE C HURCH J ESUS FOUNDED IS A MYSTERY OF LOVE. Mary is important in working out the plan Jesus had for the Church. All of these are characteristics that disciples of Jesus can emulate (live by and imitate).

Reflect: Contemplate the seven characteristics of Mary displayed in the chart on page 190. For each characteristic, list three examples of the ways in which you can express that quality.