1. BUILDING THE CHURCH Mary – The Theotokos

2. THE THEOTOKOS Its literal English translations include "God-bearer", "Birth-Giver of God" and "the one who gives birth to God." Less literal translations include "Mother of God."

3. WHO IS THE VIRGIN MARY? Every Catholic must know how to answer this question. The best way to do so is through the dogmas regarding Mary. There are four Marian Dogmas:

4. Jesus was born of the Holy Virgin Mary. He took His human nature from her. But He is God, Mary is the Mother of God, Mary is a woman, but because she is the mother of Jesus, she is also the Mother of God. MARY MOTHER OF GOD

5. “The Holy Spirit came upon Mary”  she did not have sexual relations with any man Jesus was her only son. Mary’s decision to devote herself to God as if she were a religious person. She was married to Joseph but he accepted this decision and always respected his wife. MARY IS EVER VIRGIN

6. MARY IS IMMACULATE - Mary was conceived by her parents Joachim and Anne as all men/women are conceived. - But God, given that she was to be the mother of Jesus, protected her from original sin. - In addition to not having original sin, she did not commit any sin in her life and therefore, always remained immaculate.

7. MARY IS IN HEAVEN, IN BODY AND SOUL Blessed Virgin Mary was taken to Heaven by her Son. Jesus, who is God the Almighty, wanted to do with His mother, that which any child would want to do with theirs: to save her from the corruption of the tomb.

8. WHAT DOES MARY DO? Mary is our Mother in two ways:  she shows us the road to Jesus  she helps us be interceding for us 1.To imitate Mary (obedience, love, faith, humility) 2. We must ask for her help when we are in trouble, for sanctity, for the material things that we need, for our families, for our studies, etc) 3. We must thank Mary for all that which she obtains for us from God.