Mary holds a unique place in the Gospel accounts: it is she who receives the announcement of the miraculous conception of Jesus, who visits her cousin Elizabeth, and who accompanies her son from the nativity to the foot of the cross. The Gospels of Luke and Matthew give her particular attention, notably in the accounts of the childhood and birth of Jesus.
Her journey sheds light on both the human and the theological dimension of the incarnation. Through her, we approach themes such as purification, Jewish religious practices, the genealogy of Jesus and the role of the family in his childhood in Nazareth.
To study Mary is also to enter the question of the identity and mission of the Messiah. Her faith, her obedience and her discreet but constant presence make her a central figure for understanding who Jesus is and where he comes from.
This article discusses Mary, mother of Jesus, highlighting her role in the Gospels and the evolution of her veneration throughout Christian history, despite…