BAROCCI, Federico Fiori

The Nativity
1597
Oil on canvas, 134 x 105 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid

Jesus Christ
was born of the
Virgin Mary

11
Compendium of the Catechism
◼ 85. Why did the Son of God
become man?
◼ 456-460
◼ For us men and for our
salvation, the Son of God
became incarnate in the womb
of the Virgin Mary by the power
of the Holy Spirit. He did so to
reconcile us sinners with God,
to have us learn of God’s
infinite love, to be our model of
holiness and to make us
“partakers of the divine nature”
(2 Peter 1:4).
Introduction
◼ The Archangel Gabriel was sent as
God’s messenger to announce to
Mary that she had been chosen to
be the Mother of God.
 “Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
be it done unto me according to
your word” (Luke 1: 38). At that
precise instant the Incarnation of
the Word took place.
◼ The Blessed Virgin is also our
Mother. When Jesus was about to
die on the cross He gave her to us
as our Mother. Our heavenly
mother looks after us and protects
us just as our earthly mothers do.
ANGELICO, Fra
Nativity
1440-41
Fresco, 193 x 164 cm
Convento di San Marco, Florence
Main ideas
1. Mary is truly the Mother of God
◼ Mary conceived the body of
Jesus, into which God infused
the soul; and, at that very
instant, the Second Person of
the Holy Trinity, the Word, was
joined to that body. Thus, the
Son of God became man
without ceasing to be God.
◼ Mary carried Jesus Christ
within her womb for nine
months; she carried His body,
His soul and His divinity until
she gave birth to Him in
Bethlehem. She is truly the
Mother of God.
BOUTS, Dieric the Elder
Mary and Child
c. 1465
Wood, 37,1 x 27,6 cm
National Gallery, London
2. Main dogmas and Marian privileges
◼ The greatest gift God bestowed
on the Most Blessed Virgin Mary
was choosing her to be His
Mother. And, as she was to be His
Mother, He filled her with grace
and granted her extraordinary
privileges.
 The Immaculate Conception
 Mary remained always a virgin
 The Assumption
 Co-redeemer, Queen of all
creation, mother of the Church
and Mediatrix of all graces.
 She is our Mother.
GRECO, El
The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception
1608-13
Oil on canvas, 348 x 174,5 cm
Museo de Santa Cruz, Toledo
3. Mary is our Mother
◼ Because her divine Son is our
brother, the “first-born among
many brethren” (Romans 8:
29).
◼ Because Jesus Christ gave her
to us as our mother: “Behold
your mother” (John 19: 27).
◼ As our mother, she intercedes
for us. She looks after us
because we are her children
and asks her divine Son for
whatever is best for us.

ANDREA DEL SARTO

Virgin with Four Saints
1530
Panel, 308 x 208 cm
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence
4. Our behaviour as good sons and daughters of the
Blessed Virgin

◼ A grateful son or daughter

responds to a mother’s
love not only in words, but
by showing affection in
little ways.
◼ We can show our love for
her by being faithful to our
Christian commitment to
personal sanctity and by
showing our affection and
devotion to her through CRANACH, Lucas the Younger
Christ Blessing the Children
acts of piety. 1540s
Oil on panel, 72 x 122 cm
Private collection
Resolutions
for Christian
life
Resolutions to move forward
◼ How can you improve your
devotion to Our Lady? You can
start by greeting her on getting
up in the mornings and before
going to bed at night.
◼ Learn by heart the Hail Mary
and the Hail Holy Queen.