Mary And Religion

Mary the mother of Jesus is an important figure to the Catholic Churches teachings. Mary is known through many biblical references, which are, however, lightly mentioned to create a proper biography. The development of Mary can be traced through the history of the Christians- apparitions, feast days, organisations and prayers.

The Church doesn't require belief in any apparition or other private revelation. However, she does exercise her maternal judgment for the protection of the faithful in declaring some apparitions to be inauthentic, others to be "worthy of belief." The apparitions have been judged whether they are worthy of belief, and devotions related to them have been encouraged by the truth. Each has miracles associated with it which are unexplainable by the best scientists in the world, as testimony to its authenticity.
One apparition that occurred is: Our Lady of Lourdes- On February 11, 1858, Mary appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous. Mary told her to dig a hole in the dirt and there a stream of water will be found. Many miraculous hearings are reported from bathing in the waters. Her message was a request for prayer and penance. She had instructed Bernadette to tell the priests that a chapel. Today, Our lady of Lourdes is remembered as a feast day, created by Pope Benedict XVI and known as the World day of the sick.

Throughout the centuries the devotion and the respect towards the Blessed Virgin Mary by Roman Catholics has been influenced by a number of Roman Catholic Marian Movements and Societies. These societies, form part of the 'fabric' of Roman Catholic Mariology. Today, many Marian societies exist around the world in honour for the Virgin Mary. For example:
The Marianists, also known as the Society of Mary, was discovered in 1801 by William Joseph Chaminade, who is a priest that survived the persecutions of Catholics during the French Revolution. In this organisation there are currently 500 priests and they can be identified as teaching brothers/working brothers but, regardless of classification, most of these members focus on working in schools or programs for young people. The Marianist Brothers and Priests look up to Mary as a model of faith and spirituality, and they feel that the best ways to live a spiritual life is to share their faith and beliefs with the whole world, working with the poor, and educating and nourishing their minds, their body, and their souls.

The Assumption is an important event that occurred throughout the Christian and Orthodox Christians tradition.
The Assumption is known as the day Mary was taken into heaven body and soul. Her acceptance into heaven symbolises the promise made by Jesus to all Catholics that when their time comes, they too will be able to join paradise. This feast day is specifically celebrated on August 15 where Christians commemorate the day Mary's sinless soul and incorrupt body was elevated into heaven to join her son and God.

The church honours Mary for the grace God showed her in preserving her from sin, in choosing her to be the earthly mother of his son Jesus, and her obedience in having faith in his words. One way the church gives honour to the Blessed Virgin Mary is through beautiful and historical Christian prayers. Some of these prayers are designated towards her as either praise or a way of showing our appreciation. For instance:
The Magnificat, Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Hail Holy Queen, the Angeles, Mary help those in need, our lady of Guadalupe, O Virgin Mary, John Paul II: A theologian and the Virgin Mary's bard, Canticle of Mary and many
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