8 qualities of mother mary

Mary, mother of Jesus of Nazareth, is a person of special focus for Catholics. This is right and good because Mary is special. She is not only Jesus’ Mother, but she is ours, too.

She was a very young woman, a virgin, engaged to a carpenter, when she was visited by the Archangel Gabriel. He told her that she would give birth to the Son of God. From that evening onwards, Mary’s acceptance of what the angel had to say made our salvation possible. Her ‘yes’ to God’s plan was not only remarkably brave, but also deeply significant.

Before anyone knew who Jesus was, Mary had already carried him, loved him, and welcomed him into her life, and into the world. One way of thinking about Christian life and the church is that we try to emulate Mary's act. We also say ‘yes’ to Jesus, as we welcome Him into our lives. Like Mary, we bring the Gospel into the world through humble, everyday love. She is a model and guide to what a life of faith looks like.

Seeing his mother and the disciple who he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, "woman, this is your son."

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Mary with the Angel Gabriel

No one had ever paid unusual attention to young Mary.  She was born in a poor family from the insignificant town of Nazareth. She didn’t appear to stand out from her peers and would probably not have been voted ‘most likely to succeed.’ Eventually, however, she was engaged to a man named Joseph who could not promise her affluence but was a kind man with a stable reputation.

While Mary was growing up unknown by the outside world, God had taken note of her and was delighted.  One day, to Mary’s astonishment, an angel appeared to her.  “Greetings, favored one!  The Lord is with you,” the angel said.  “Do not be afraid for you have found favor with God.” The angel proceeded to tell her she would conceive and give birth as a virgin to the Son of God himself.  Instead of recoiling in terror or objecting stubbornly, Mary submitted completely to a pregnancy she had to know would give rise to the ugliest of rumors and accusations.

Joseph and Mary on their way to Bethlehem

At that time Mary went

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Women's History Network

Mary (in English) or Miriam (in Hebrew) or Maryam (in Arabic) was born into the Jewish community around 20BC in Nazareth, Galilee. In the Christian tradition, her birthday is celebrated on the 8^th September and in both Christian and Islamic traditions, she is the child of St Joachim and St Anne (or Hannah) – although some bible scholars believe her father was actually named Heli. She is believed to be a direct descendant of Abraham, who fathered the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths, and her ancestors include such Jewish luminaries as the Kings David and Solomon. She is a central figure in many religious traditions.

According to the book of Luke, Mary was visited by an angel as a young woman, while she was engaged to be married to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter and also a descendant of Abraham. The angel told her that she had found favour with God and would give birth to his son, who would be called Jesus. Mary asked how this was possible, as she was a virgin, and the angel replied that the Holy Spirit would come upon her. She replied, ‘I am