How did Mary become the Mother of God?

But have controversies continue?

Indeed, it took several other councils to specify what it meant for Mary and for Jesus. We were wondering: should we distinguish human activities and divine activities in Jesus? Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople in 428, taught that the human nature of Christ and his divine nature of the son of God were joint, but without exchange between the two states. Mary could therefore be designated as the mother of Christ, but not as a mother of God. But at the council held in Ephesus in 431, the bishop of Alexandria, Cyrille, opposed him and defended the unity of the person of Christ: the verb of God, uniting in his person a flesh animated by a soul, has become a man. Cyrille’s position was recognized as true faith, and on October 11, the council approved the title of Theotokos, “Mother of God”, adding that the Virgin generates the Son according to humanity.

Calling Mary “Mother of God” has not been easily admitted?

This way of calling Marie in the I greet you Mary is natural to us, but Christians have long divided on this subject. Paganism in antiquity knew mother goddesses, and there was a risk of ambiguity. In 553, the second council of Constantinople added that the incarnation from the Virgin Mother of God had been made “in the last days”, and not at the origin, but that was not enough to rally the heirs of Nestorius. It is important to see that this dogma of “Mary, Mother of God” founds all the Marian doctrine of the Church, because it is linked to the mystery of the incarnation.

A prayer inscribed on a papyrus found in Egypt already invoked Mary as “Holy Mother of God” in the third century. Has Christians’ piety preceded the definition of dogma?

Indeed, the formulations of dogma, devotion practices and the liturgy have not developed at the same rate. But they are linked. Several Marian festivals, in the liturgy, highlight the unity between Jesus and his mother. The Nativity of Mary, on September 8, her assumption, on August 15, echoed the Nativity and the Ascension of Christ. The representations of Mary surrounded by the twelve apostles with Pentecost evoke those of Jesus to the Last Supper.

At the end of Vatican Council II, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Mary “Mother of the Church”. What meaning in this title?

By taking up the title of mother of the church already stated in the 4th century by Ambroise of Milan, but not very widespread, Paul VI stressed that the mother of Christ also exercises his maternity in the Church, body of Christ.

What do you think means the profusion of Marian appearances since the 19th century?

It is a constant in the experience of Christians – in mine also: Marie is present, active, loving. But many Catholics also live their faith very deeply without thinking especially of Mary. In the great communion of saints, Marie is the first because she is still united to her son. I think that a real relationship to Mary leads to Jesus.

Marie over the centuries

Before the year 60: The mother of Jesus is not designated by her first name but is simply mentioned: “When the fullness of time came, God sent her son, born of a woman.” (GA 4, 4).

Between 60 and 90: Gospels of Matthieu and Luke, the only ones to evoke the childhood of Jesus.

3rd or 4th century: “Under your mercy, holy mother of God.” First non -biblical prayer known to Marie, attested by a papyrus discovered in 1917.

October 11, 431: Day of the proclamation of acts declaring Mary Mother of God, after the Council of Ephesus.

November 20, 543: In Jerusalem, a liturgical celebration of Mary’s presentation at the temple. The oldest Marian liturgical celebration, now celebrated on November 21.

15th century: The Dominican Alain de la Roche diffuses the prayer of the Rosary.

December 8, 1854: Pope Pius IX proclaims the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

October 11, 1931: Pope Pius XI institutes the feast of Saint Mary Mother of God.

November 1, 1950: Pope Pius XII proclaims the dogma of the assumption of Mary.

October 11, 1962: Opening of Vatican Council II, at the end of which she is proclaimed mother of the Church.

1969: Pope Paul VI moves the feast of Mary Mother of God on January 1, in the Octave de la Nativity, restoring the old custom of the church of Rome. This date is also World Peace Day.