“Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words. Image and word illuminate each other.” (CCC 1160)
The Immaculate Conception - Guido Reni (c. 1627)
The Immaculate Conception is one of four Marian Dogma’s of
the Catholic Church. A dogma is a
principle that is considered by the Church to be an infallible divine
revelation, a truth of the Church.
The Immaculate Conception means that Mary was conceived without original sin or its stain – “immaculate” means without stain. Original sin is the deprivation of sanctifying grace. Mary was preserved from original sin by God’s grace from the first instant of her existence, at the moment of her conception.
Luke 1:26 - 28
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of
Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, "Hail favored one! The Lord is with you."
Madonna and Child - William Bouguereau (1888)
"It is also the faith of the Church that Mary is to be called the "Mother of God," "The One whom she conceived as man by the power of the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was none other than the Father's eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence, the Church confesses that Mary is truly the Mother of God.'"
Theotokos Mother of God of Kazan
In the Eastern Churches Mary is honored by use of the Greek expression Theotokos or "Birth-giver of God" sometimes translated as "God-Bearer." United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, page 144.
L' innocence - Bouguereau (1893)
"The Holy Spirit's power made possible the conception of Jesus in Mary's womb. There was no human father. The Gospels clearly present the virginal conception of Jesus as a divine work.
Mary was always a virgin, both in conceiving Jesus, giving birth to him, and remaining virgin every after. God granted her this privilege to emphasize that this was a unique moment in history - the birth of Jesus who is the Son of God and the Son of Mary.
The liturgy of the Church speaks of Mary as ever virgin. In the early Church some denied this, arguing that the Gospels speak of the brothers and sisters of Jesus, and thus maintained that Mary did not remain a virgin after the birth of Jesus. But already in the fourth century, theologians pointed out that the Greek word for brother used in the New Testament can refer also to cousin.
A second explanation was that these brothers and sisters were children of Joseph by a previous marriage. However, it is the constant teaching of the Church that Mary remained a virgin even after the birth of Jesus. In her virginity, Mary lived a life dedicated exclusively to her Son and his mission. Her example has been followed by some of Christ's disciples who have lived lives of consecrated virginity and celibacy from apostolic times to the present." United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, page 144.
The liturgy of the Church speaks of Mary as ever virgin. In the early Church some denied this, arguing that the Gospels speak of the brothers and sisters of Jesus, and thus maintained that Mary did not remain a virgin after the birth of Jesus. But already in the fourth century, theologians pointed out that the Greek word for brother used in the New Testament can refer also to cousin.
A second explanation was that these brothers and sisters were children of Joseph by a previous marriage. However, it is the constant teaching of the Church that Mary remained a virgin even after the birth of Jesus. In her virginity, Mary lived a life dedicated exclusively to her Son and his mission. Her example has been followed by some of Christ's disciples who have lived lives of consecrated virginity and celibacy from apostolic times to the present." United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, page 144.
Luke 1:29 - 31
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and
pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore, the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God."
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore, the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God."
Assumption - Titian (1516)
Picture Source - Public Domain
The Role of Religious Art in Faith Formation - Month of December
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