Catechism of the Catholic Church · Part One › Section Two › Chapter Three › Article 9 · Paragraph 6 (§§963–975)
Paragraphs · 13
The Catechism's text is under copyright, so each paragraph is quoted briefly here with a link to the full text at vatican.va.
Paragraph 6. MARY - MOTHER OF CHRIST, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
- §963 — Since the Virgin Mary's role in the mystery of Christ and the Spirit has been treated, it is fitting now to consider her place in the mystery of the Church.vatican.va
I. Mary's Motherhood with Regard to the Church
- §964 — Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. "This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ's virginal conception up to his death"; it…vatican.va
- §965 — After her Son's Ascension, Mary "aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers." In her association with the apostles and several women, "we also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation."vatican.va
- Catechism — CCC 966 — Mary 'exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things' — the Catechism quoting Pius XII on the Assumption and queenship.vatican.va
- §967 — By her complete adherence to the Father's will, to his Son's redemptive work, and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church's model of faith and charity.vatican.va
- §968 — Her role in relation to the Church and to all humanity goes still further. "In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior's work of restoring supernatural life to souls.vatican.va
- §969 — "This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfilment of all the elect.vatican.va
- §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 .vatican.va
Ii. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin
- Catechism — CCC 971 — Devotion to Mary 'differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word' — the honour/worship distinction stated by the Church.vatican.va
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.vatican.va
In Brief
- §973 — By pronouncing her "fiat" at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was al ready collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish.vatican.va
- §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.vatican.va
- §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).vatican.va