All Questions
Tagged with mary or virgin-mary
113 questions
64
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Praying to people outside the Trinity?
I understand that the Catholic Church direct some prayers to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. For me it would be strange to address my prayers to anyone outside the Holy Trinity. Do Catholics pray to any ...
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24
votes
6
answers
7k
views
What is the biblical basis for the Immaculate Conception?
According to Catholic Doctrine, the Immaculate Conception refers to the teaching that Mary's own conception (not that of Jesus) was without the stain of original sin.
What is the biblical basis for ...
- 64.2k
30
votes
6
answers
3k
views
What Protestant arguments exist for the perpetual virginity of Mary?
It's common knowledge that Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodoxy have the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. Protestants generally don't have that belief.
Less known is that Zwingli and ...
28
votes
12
answers
16k
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Why can't Catholicism just drop its Marian devotion?
Catholicism puts great emphasis on the importance on the Mary, the Mother of God. It honors her and insists upon her perpetual sinlessness and perpetual virginity. And in my observation, it seems as ...
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7
votes
5
answers
2k
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Did Mary have other children? [duplicate]
Since it appears that Jesus had brothers and sisters, did Mary have other children? If not, how many wives did Joseph have?
Matthew 12:46–47 NIV
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his ...
user1054
13
votes
3
answers
3k
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If God could make Mary sinless, why not anybody else?
In this thread one of the answers states that Catholic tradition has Mary as sinless from conception (if I read it correctly). I don't want to sound flippant here but this begs the question: if God ...
- 149
8
votes
3
answers
17k
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How do we know Mary was a virgin at the time of Jesus' conception?
Luke 1:26-26:
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of ...
- 22.3k
6
votes
3
answers
498
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Was the dogma of the Immaculate Conception formulated in response to someone challenging Mary's ability to bear a perfect Son?
I read that dogma is the church's way of explaining supernatural events in scripture
Since I have been doing research on the question of how a perfect Jesus could be born of a descendant of Adam, it ...
- 6,239
22
votes
5
answers
22k
views
What exactly is a "Hail Mary"?
The practice of a saying a "Hail Mary" is often referred to in colloquial speech, sometimes as a way to caricaturize Catholics. References to the practice instantly conjure up images of Catholicism, ...
- 37.5k
9
votes
4
answers
3k
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Why is Mary's perpetual virginity a Catholic dogma?
I know Catholic dogmas must be accepted to become Catholic. They are non-negotiables as distinguished from doctrines or theological opinions. I know most Catholic dogmas relate to some essential truth ...
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-2
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3
answers
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Are there biblical passages supporting a "quasi-incarnation" attributed to the mystical union of the Holy Spirit and Mary?
The Logos or the Incarnate Word became flesh in what known to be "hypostatic union". Jesus Christ the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity became flesh and dwelt among us having two nature both ...
25
votes
5
answers
5k
views
What is the Biblical evidence against the perpetual virginity of Mary?
I understand that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the eternal virgin in that she never had sexual relations with Joseph (or any other man)--either before or after the miraculous ...
- 64.2k
9
votes
1
answer
2k
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What is the basis for saying that Aquinas accepted the Immaculate Conception?
It's commonly said that Thomas Aquinas did not accept the doctrine of the immaculate conception of Mary. For example, Wikipedia says:
Saint Thomas Aquinas refused to concede the Immaculate ...
- 42.6k
8
votes
4
answers
2k
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Who do Catholics say the Mary in Matthew 27:56 is?
Roman Catholics believe that Mary the mother of Jesus remained a virgin for her whole life. Mary the mother of Jesus is sometimes seen in the gospels with men referred to as Jesus' brothers, with ...
- 6,279
7
votes
3
answers
2k
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What do Protestants say was the source for the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary?
Not counting Martin Luther, who appears to have believed in the doctrine of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, what do other Protestants think is the source and reason for Catholic adherence to the ...
- 34.2k
2
votes
1
answer
228
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Did Mary desire to be the Mother of the prophesied Messiah?
Before the Annunciation by St. Gabriel, did Mary desire to be the Mother of the prophesied Messiah?
2
votes
3
answers
385
views
What is the basis for the Catholic teaching that Mary is holy?
What is the basis for the Catholic teaching that Mary is holy? Most other denominations don't hold to doctrines like perpetual virginity. They see Mary as special because she was chosen by God but ...
- 39
1
vote
4
answers
697
views
Perpetual virginity of Mary: why did Mary see "not knowing man" as an obstacle to the conception of Jesus?
It seems rather incontrovertable from the logic (Luke 1):
You will concieve and bear a son
How shall this be, since I know not man
That Mary sees it as impossible to conceive, specifically because ...
- 8,420
22
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What significance, if any, does the doctrine of the eternal virginity of Mary have?
I understand that the Catholic Church (and perhaps the Orthodox church as well) teaches that Mary is "the eternal virgin" Mary.
If this were an important doctrine, it seems there would be fairly ...
- 64.2k
19
votes
12
answers
99k
views
How could Jesus be descended from the royal line of David if he was born of the Virgin Birth?
The first chapter of Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through his father Joseph back to King David through something like 18 generations. But as we know, Jesus was born through the agency of the Holy ...
- 1,134
17
votes
4
answers
20k
views
Why do Catholics put so much faith in the Virgin Mary?
I'm not sure how to express the relationship that Catholics have with the Virgin Mary, so please excuse the word "faith" in the question title.
Giving Mary praise
I understand that Mary gave birth ...
- 13.5k
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
According to Catholic teaching, was Joseph and Mary's marriage a true marriage?
Well, I've read in several articles, and if not mistaken also in canon law, for a marriage to be valid, there has to be consummation (intercourse). However, since, if I'm not mistaken, by Catholic ...
12
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3
answers
12k
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Why do Protestants not refer to Mary by the title "Mother of God"?
I have heard the title "Mother of God" in connection with the "Hail Mary" prayer that(Ave Maria) is recited by Catholics.
However, I have never heard this term used in any Protestant setting. (...
- 64.2k
8
votes
2
answers
3k
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What is the biblical and traditional support for the Catholic Marian devotion?
In this answer it was stated that the Bible does support Marian devotion, which the Catholics practice.
In Luke, Mary says "all generations will call me blessed." I can see how this lends credence to ...
user3961
7
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What is the Immaculate Conception?
I know that Catholics believe in the Immaculate Conception. What is that?
Is this the same as the virginal conception of Jesus?
- 6,486
7
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4
answers
3k
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Why did Mary need to remain a virgin during pregnancy according to those who deny the perpetual virginity doctrine?
After much editing and clarifying through comments this question seems to have asked and had answered from Catholic perspective why Mary stayed a virgin throughout her pregnancy.
Yet many Christians ...
- 6,239
6
votes
1
answer
4k
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Why do Catholics bow for icons of the Virgin Mary?
It doesn't surprise me when orthodox Christians bow for icons of the Virgin Mary, since they believe that she is present in the icon. But why do (some) Catholics also bow for icons of Mary?
There are ...
user5729
5
votes
4
answers
2k
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How are the words of Mary in Luke 1:34 incontrovertible proof of her perpetual virginity?
Based on this question it seems that a lot of weight is given to the simple statement by Mary to Gabriel that she is a virgin.
Luke 1:34 NIV How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a ...
- 6,239
5
votes
4
answers
2k
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Are Catholics permitted to honour Mary as a priest?
Mary, the Mother of Jesus was present at the foot of the Cross as her Son was dying in order to ransom mankind from sin.
This got me thinking that Mary must hold a special place in Catholic devotion. ...
- 74.5k
4
votes
4
answers
1k
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In what sense was Mary born without original sin in Roman Catholic dogma?
Is the following quotation an accurate explanation of Roman Catholic dogma regarding Mary?
The reason that Mary is “full of grace,” the Church has said, is because of Ephesians 1:3-6 (Redemptoris ...
- 41
28
votes
2
answers
1k
views
On what do Catholics base their doctrine of the eternal virginity of Mary?
I understand that the Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the eternal virgin in that she neither had sexual relations with Joseph (or any other man) either before or after the miraculous conception ...
- 64.2k
17
votes
9
answers
24k
views
Why did God choose Mary?
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, was conceived full of sanctifying grace and free of any stain of original sin. In Catholicism, this is called the Immaculate Conception. She was conceived ...
- 6,486
17
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2
answers
3k
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How is "Veneration" similar or different from "Adoration"?
Most Catholics teach about honoring the saints, and mostly about "venerating" the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Though in my country (I'm from the Philippines), the line between honoring saints / Mary and the ...
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15
votes
5
answers
15k
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Is there any tradition that informs us of how old Mary was when she gave birth to Jesus?
I have heard that the legal age of marriage was quite young in Jewish culture at the time of Christ. I believe young girls at the age of twelve could marry. However, I find it difficult to imagine ...
- 34.2k
15
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4
answers
2k
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Are there any Catholic sects which disagree with the sinlessness of Mary?
As a protestant, the concept of the sinless state of Mary is one of the hardest aspects of Catholicism to swallow. The historical account of the adoption of this doctrine doesn't lend any credibility ...
- 22.3k
14
votes
2
answers
2k
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How does one reconcile the sinlessness of Mary with her sin offering in Luke 2:24?
In Luke 2:22-24, it is written,
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is ...
user900
12
votes
4
answers
11k
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Which church father first taught the perpetual virginity of Mary?
Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck, in his Reformed Dogmatics, III, §366, briefly deals with Mary's perpetual virginity, and touches on the doctrine's history:
We do not yet find this idea of Mary'...
- 42.6k
11
votes
3
answers
3k
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Was the Assumption of Mary a belief in the early church?
Was the Assumption of Mary a belief in the early church? If so, where's the evidence?
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life is a defined dogma of the ...
- 6,541
11
votes
3
answers
4k
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Did any church fathers after Chrysostom believe that Mary committed sin?
The belief that Mary never committed sin has been around a long time, much longer than the final formulation of the doctrine of her immaculate conception (which happened around the 13th century). ...
- 42.6k
11
votes
3
answers
2k
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What support is there in the Patristic writings for Marian Devotion?
Specifically, I want to know if there is evidence in the early Church of Christians venerating Mary. Evidence from the time following Mary's earthly life is preferred, though not required.
- 571
10
votes
2
answers
892
views
Is there any evidence in the Roman catacombs that the Early Church had a devotion to the Virgin Mary?
Is there any archeological evidence in the catacombs of Rome that the Early Church had any (particular) devotion to the Virgin Mary? If so, what are the sources that support such a devotion?
- 74.5k
10
votes
2
answers
3k
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What are the theological implications of "pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death"?
Hail Mary, full of grace. Our Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou
among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of ...
- 299
10
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3
answers
21k
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Why isn't the virgin birth of Jesus mentioned in all of the gospels? Does it matter?
I recently saw Bill Maher's documentary and he mentions that the virgin birth is only mentioned in two of the gospels. He goes on to bug Christian people several times by asking questions such as "How ...
- 1,099
8
votes
1
answer
1k
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Did Mary die, or was she translated like Enoch and Elijah?
According to the Bible, did Mary die?
From a comment on another question, it seems that at least some denominations (including the Roman Catholic Church) teach that, like Elijah and Enoch, Mary did ...
- 12.7k
7
votes
1
answer
9k
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What did Mary and Joseph do with the gold, frankincense, and myrrh?
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child
with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they
had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; ...
- 9,056
7
votes
3
answers
491
views
What criteria do Catholics use to determine if an old testament character prefigures Mary?
I was at a Catechetical training seminar in my parish and the presenter on topic of the creed when touching on the Blessed Virgin Mary said that lots and lots of characters prefigure Mary in the old ...
- 34.2k
6
votes
3
answers
14k
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What is the source DNA for the body of Jesus? [closed]
This question focus on the physical body used by Jesus during his time on Earth.
I believe there is much biblical support for and little question that the body of Jesus gestated in the body of Mary ...
- 537
6
votes
2
answers
1k
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How do Protestants understand the blessedness of Mary in Luke 1:48?
What are the common Protestant interpretations of Luke 1:48?
Luke 1:48 (KJV) For he hath regarded the low estate of
his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall
call me ...
user13992
5
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How old was St. Joseph when he married the Blessed Virgin Mary?
According to the Church Fathers or other Catholic theologians, how old was St. Joseph when he married the Blessed Virgin Mary?
- 41.5k
5
votes
6
answers
2k
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Immaculate Conception: Why was it necessary for our Salvation?
According to many Catholic apologists, like Dr. Robert Sungenis,1 the dogma of the immaculate conception of Mary is not simply binding because it is a divinely revealed dogma, but according to them it ...
- 1,100