Marian Devotion

"Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother" is the fourth Station of the Cross , which is a series of fourteen events that depict the final hours of Jesus Christ's life. This station depicts the encounter between Jesus and his mother, Mary, during his journey to Calvary to be crucified. According to tradition, Mary was present at the foot of the cross during Jesus' crucifixion. However, this station visualizes an earlier encounter between Jesus and Mother Mary as he carries his cross towards the place of his execution. In this station, Jesus is depicted as carrying the heavy cross on his shoulders and being led through the crowded streets of Jerusalem towards Golgotha. As he passes through the crowds, he sees his mother Mary standing along the side of the road, watching him with grief and sorrow. Upon seeing his mother, Jesus stops and looks at her with love and compassion. He understands her pain and suffering and is deeply moved by her presence. Mary, in turn, looks at her s...

According to the Gospel of John, during Jesus' crucifixion, he entrusted his mother Mary to the care of his disciple John. This passage can be found in John 19:25-27 , which reads: "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." There are a few different layers to this passage and what it means, so let's break it down. First, it's important to understand the cultural context. In Jewish culture, it was common for children to take care of their parents in old age, and for extended family members to take in widows who needed support. So when Jesus entrusts Mary to John, he is essentially ensuring that she will be taken care of after his death. But there's also a...

According to popular Christian belief, there are several Old Testament verses that are understood to reference the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. One of the most prominent is Isaiah 7:14 , which states, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." This verse is understood by many Christians to be a prophecy of the birth of Jesus, who was born of the Virgin Mary. Another Old Testament verse that is understood to refer to Mary is found in the Book of Psalms, chapter 45, verse 10 , which states, "Listen, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your people and your father's house." This verse is interpreted by some Christians as a prophecy of Mary's role as the mother of Jesus and her willingness to leave her family and her home to fulfill this role. Proverbs 31:10-31 , also known as the "noble wife" passage, is another Old Testament text that is unders...

There are several biblical references that Christians, particularly Catholics, take as references to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. One of the most prominent is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 26-38, which tells the story of the Annunciation. In this passage, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary and tells her that she has been chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. Mary responds with humility and faith, saying, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." This passage is significant because it highlights Mary's willingness to accept God's plan for her life and her role as the mother of Jesus. Another important reference to Mary can be found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 1, verses 18-25, which tells the story of the birth of Jesus. In this passage, we learn that Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but that she was found to be with child before they were married. Joseph initially plans to divorce Mary quietly, but i...

The relationship between Jesus and Mary, his mother, is one of the central themes in the Christian faith and is depicted in many works of art throughout history. One of the most famous and moving depictions of this relationship is the "Pieta," a sculpture by Michelangelo that shows Mary holding the body of her son, Jesus, after his crucifixion. The Pieta, which is Italian for "pity" or "compassion," is a masterpiece of Renaissance art and is widely regarded as one of Michelangelo's greatest works. Created between 1498 and 1499, the sculpture depicts Mary cradling the lifeless body of her son, Jesus, in her arms. The emotion and tenderness conveyed by Michelangelo in the Pieta have made it one of the most beloved and widely recognized works of art in the world. The theme of the Pieta is one of great sorrow and compassion , and it is considered a powerful representation of the relationship between Jesus and his mother. The sculpture depicts Mary as a t...

Biblical references to Mother Mary at the foot of the cross during Jesus' cruxification. The Bible is filled with stories and references to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and one of the most significant and touching moments in his story is the crucifixion. During this time, Jesus was crucified on a cross, and the presence of his mother, Mary, is depicted in several passages of the New Testament. The first biblical reference to Mary at the foot of the cross can be found in the Gospel of John. In John 19:25-27, it says, "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, 'Woman, here is your son,' and to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." This passage is often referred to as "The Word of Relationship" and it highlights the strong...

Miraculous Marian apparitions are supernatural appearances by Mother Mary . Below is a popular list of miraculous Marian apparitions, which have either been approved by the Church, or which still retain a popular following. According to the Catholic Church, the initial responsibility of evaluating the merits of any miraculous apparition falls to the bishop of the area in which the events occurred. If, after an investigation, the bishop determines that the apparition constitutes an authentic miraculous appearance of the Mother Mary, then the apparition is considered approved for the entire Catholic Church, unless his successor or the Holy See were to contradict his decision. 10 Miraculous Marian apparitions along with a brief summary of each:     Our Lady of Guadalupe , 1531 - This apparition occurred in Mexico to a peasant named Juan Diego. The Virgin Mary appeared as an indigenous woman and left her image imprinted on Juan Diego's tilma (cloak), which remains to this d...