Marian devotion

Marian devotion comprises Catholic beliefs and practices that honor Mary, the mother of Jesus, as an intercessor and model of faith.

Rosary: A Catholic prayer practice that meditates on events in the lives of Jesus and Mary through repeated prayers. Its repeated prayers and meditations are among the most widespread forms of Marian devotion.
Mary, mother of Jesus: The Jewish woman whom the New Testament identifies as the mother of Jesus. Marian devotion centers on her relationship to Jesus and her role in Christian belief.
Council of Ephesus: A church council held in 431 that affirmed Mary as Theotokos in debates about Christ’s nature. Its affirmation strengthened a theological foundation for honoring Mary.
Veneration: The honor given to holy persons or sacred objects, distinguished in Catholic theology from worship owed to God alone. Catholic teaching classifies Marian devotion as veneration rather than divine worship.
Marian feast days: Liturgical celebrations honoring events in Mary’s life and titles attributed to her. These annual celebrations give Marian devotion a recurring place in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
Theotokos: A Greek title meaning “God-bearer,” affirmed for Mary at the Council of Ephesus in 431. The title grounds Marian honor in the Christian claim that her son is divine.
Hail Mary: A Catholic prayer combining biblical greetings to Mary with a petition for her intercession. The prayer developed over centuries into a central formula of Marian devotion.
Latria: The adoration owed to God alone in Catholic theological terminology. It marks the boundary Catholic teaching draws between worship and honor given to Mary.
Marian apparitions: Reported appearances of Mary, some of which receive official recognition by Catholic authorities. Apparition claims have inspired distinctive prayers, shrines, and devotional practices.
Perpetual virginity of Mary: The Catholic doctrine that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. This belief shapes Catholic accounts of Mary’s unique dedication and holiness.

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