From a letter by Saint Athanasius, bishop (Epist. Ad Epicetum, 5-9; PG 26, 1-58, 1062, 1066)
The Word took our nature from Mary
The Apostle tells us: The Word took to himself the sons of Abraham, and so had to be like his brothers in all things. He had then to take a body like ours. This explains the fact of Mary’s presence: she is to provide him with a body of his own, to be offered for our sake. Scripture records her giving birth, and says: She wrapped him in swaddling clothes. Her breasts, which fed him, were called blessed. Sacrifice was offered because the child was her firstborn. Gabriel used careful and prudent language when he announced his birth. He did not speak of “what will be born in you” to avoid the impression that a body would be introduced into her womb from outside; he spoke of “what will be born from you” so that we might know by faith that her child originated within her and from her.
By taking our nature and offering it in sacrifice, the Word was to destroy it completely and then invest it with his own nature, and so prompt the Apostle to say: This corruptible body must put on incorruption; this mortal body must put on immortality.
This was not done in outward show only, as some have imagined. This is not so. Our Savior truly became man, and from this has followed the salvation of man as a whole. Our salvation is in no way fictitious, nor does it apply only to the body. The salvation of the whole man, that is, of soul and body, has really been achieved in the Word himself.
What was born of Mary was therefore human by nature, in accordance with the inspired Scriptures, and the body of the Lord was a true body: It was a true body because it was the same as ours. Mary, you see, is our sister, for we are all born from Adam.
The words of Saint John: The Word was made flesh, bear the same meaning, as we may see from a similar turn of phrase in Saint Paul: Christ was made a curse for our sake. Man’s body has acquired something great through its communion and union with the Word. From being mortal it has been made immortal; though it was a living body it has become a spiritual one; though it was made from the earth it has passed through the gates of heaven.
Even when the Word takes a body from Mary, the Trinity remains a Trinity, with neither increase nor decrease. It is for ever perfect. In the Trinity we acknowledge one Godhead, and thus one God, the Father of the Word, is proclaimed in the Church. Happy Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Pray for Us!
Since it’s October, it’s Rosary Month! Allow me to give you some background as to why the Blessed Vigin Mary is closest to all Catholic saints and all the followers of Jesus in this video! Don’t forget to comment or make any suggestions, it will be greatly appreciated!
Seamingly, the seems of this seamstress seam stressful.
JOKE-OGRAPHY: Mary is attempting to weave a seamless garment for Jesus (as seen in John 19), but in this cartoon, she admits she’s not yet good enough to make it right. From the reading I’ve done, it seams the seemless garment is a symbol of priesthood in the Old Testament. Mary says her current attempt has seams, so it “seems less than perfect”, but she’s determined that she’ll get it right one day, and at that point, the garment she makes will be “seamless and perfect”, a reiteration of the previous sentence, where “seem less” becomes “seamless”, “than” becomes “and”, and “perfect” stays the same, because it’s perfect just the way it is. For more reading on the seamless garment idea, check out this slick article I stumbled on: https://nowthatimcatholic.com/2019/03/15/question-what-is-the-significance-of-jesus-seamless-garment/
Happy Feast Day Our Lady of Fatima Feast day: May 13
On May 13th, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to 3 Portuguese children in the small town of Fatima. She appeared six times and identified Herself as “Our Lady of the Rosary”, asking that they pray the rosary daily for the conversion of sinners. Mary also spoke of observing first Saturdays, devotion to her Immaculate Heart, and the conversion of Russia. During the final apparition, the dance of the sun took place in front of 70,000 people. {website}
(x) my favorite part of this image is the flame-skirt #demonfashion
ok but the best part is
Hail Mary, full of Grace, PUNCH THE DEVIL IN THE FACE
Medieval fanart is wild
My soul doth magnify the Lord …
He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Look, y'all. Evil is afoot in the world. Call it what it is. Meanwhile, remember this story. Remember the woman with no power recognized by the authorities of her day who was ready for the reign of justice.
