The Catholic teaching on Mary was, for many of us, the last hurdle to get over. Venerating a mere woman? Asking her to pray for us? Speaking of her as the ‘Mother of God’? Believing her to have been without sin, assumed into heaven, even called the “Queen of Heaven”? Why does the Catholic Church believe these things about Mary?
This is without doubt the area of Catholic teaching and practice which converts from Protestantism have the hardest time with. And it’s not so much that what Catholics (really) believe about Mary contradicts anything clearly taught in the Bible, but that Catholic teaching and practice seems to go so far beyond what could be known from the Bible alone.
Sure, Protestants will say, God could have “saved” the mother of Jesus from the moment of her conception, preserving her from the stain of original sin. Sure, Mary could have remained a virgin all her life and been assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly existence. Sure, it’s possible that Christians can ask Mary to intercede for them in heaven — even as Christians ask friends and family to intercede for them on earth. But where’s the scriptural evidence for these beliefs?
As we answer this question, it’s crucial that we keep in mind that while Catholics take Scripture to be inspired and authoritative, the very “speech of God as it was put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit” (Dei Verbum), we also believe that Apostolic Tradition can shed light on the meaning of Scripture, and also that Christian doctrine develops as the Holy Spirit leads the Church over time to draw out and understand more deeply the implications of what God has revealed in scripture.
Below you will find a variety of stories, articles, videos, and other resources through which we recommend you begin exploring this topic.
Hear Our Stories
Here are a collection of testimonies from converts to Catholicism who wrestled with the topic of Mary.
Browse Resources
There are many good resources out there for learning about Mary. Here are some of our favorites.
Recommended Articles & Documents
Why Call Mary “Mother of God’? – Paul Thigpen
Mary and the Problem of Christian Unity – Kenneth J. Howell, PhD
St. Joseph: The World’s Greatest Father – Steve Ray
Twelve Reasons a Protestant Pastor Became Catholic: The Fifth Reason – Dr. Norman McCrummen
Why Devotion to Mary? A Jewish Convert’s Perspective, Part I – Charles Hoffman
Recommended Videos
Recommended Books
Hail Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God
by Scott Hahn
As Fr. Bertrand de Margerie comments, “It is a remarkable presentation of the biblical texts on Mary. They should be the soul of Catholic Mariology and it should help Protestant readers toward a better understanding of Holy Scripture.” This a wonderful and simply written biblical study of Mary.
Behold Your Mother: A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines
by Tim Staples
Using Scripture, the early Church Fathers and the official documents of the Church, in this rich resource Tim Staples, Director of Apologetics for Catholic Answers, gives a beautifully clear presentation and defense of the six major Marian doctrines.
Making Sense of Mary
by Gary Michuta
“The world is full of nonsense when it comes to the Blessed Virgin Mary from simple confusion and ignorance to disrespect and blasphemy. Michuta has done us a great service by blowing away the fog and shining the light of clarity on a matter so important to the story of God’s salvation. Drawing from Scripture, Sacred Tradition, Councils and the Fathers of the Church, Gary helps scholars and beginners alike to understand the ABC’s of the person and role of Mary.” Stephen K. Ray, Author of Crossing The Tiber
Mary: the Church at Its Source
Hans Urs von Balthasar & Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
At once profound and yet readily accessible, Mary: The Church at the Source offers a theologically balanced and biblically grounded presentation of traditional and contemporary thought on Marian doctrine and spirituality.
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary
by Dr. Brant Pitre
Are Catholic teachings on Mary really biblical? Or are they the “traditions of men”?
In Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, Dr. Pitre takes readers step-by-step from the Garden of Eden to the Book of Revelation to reveal how deeply biblical Catholic beliefs about Mary really are. Dr. Pitre uses the Old Testament and Ancient Judaism to unlock how the Bible itself teaches that Mary is in fact the new Eve, the Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven and Earth, and the new Ark of the Covenant.
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer
by Fr. Juan Luis Bastero
Fr. Bastero is a professor of theology at the University of Navarre, Spain. Revealing a deep comprehension of Catholic tradition on the subject, Father presents here a clear and comprehensive treatment of the Catholic teaching on Mary — her Divine Motherhood, Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, Assumption into heaven and Queenship.
Recommended Websites
Let's Journey Together
Get answers to your questions and fellowship for your journey home to the Catholic Church. Connect with the Coming Home Network today.
Join the Network
