Mary, Mother of God

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Cathedral of the Madeleine

The Virgin Mary is unique among saints: She is exalted because of her Immaculate Conception and sinless life, but she is still human, as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops points out.

The Vatican II document Lumen Gentium explains Mary’s status in this way: “Redeemed by reason of the merits of her Son and united to Him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of being the Mother of the Son of God, by which account she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Because of this gift of sublime grace she far surpasses all creatures, both in heaven and on earth. At the same time, however, because she belongs to the offspring of Adam she is one with all those who are to be saved.”

Mary has a special role in helping humankind. “The Church honors her as the Mother of God, looks to her as a model of perfect discipleship, and asks for her prayers to God on our behalf,” the USCCB states.

The USCCB continues, “What Mary does for the salvation of the human family does not come from her own power, but from a gift of divine grace that is bestowed on her through her Son.”

Statues of Mary can be found in parishes throughout the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. In honor of May, the month of Mary, a few of them are shown here.