The title “Mother of God” goes back to the third or fourth century, but the Greek term Theotokos (“The God-bearer”) was officially consecrated as Catholic doctrine at the Council of Ephesus in 431, thus becoming the first Marian dogma. At the end of the Council of Ephesus, crowds of people marched through the streets shouting: “Praised be the Theotokos!”
This Catholic doctrine is based on the doctrine of Incarnation, as expressed by St. Paul: “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4).
In its chapter on Mary’s role in the Church, Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution “Lumen Gentium” (“Light of the People”) calls Mary “Mother of God” 12 times.
On this day the Catholic Church also celebrates the World Day of Peace, a tradition established by Pope Paul VI and confirmed by Pope John Paul II.
Daily Reading
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Reading I 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a All the elders of Israel came in a body to Samuel at Ramahand said to him, “Now that you are old,and your sons do…
Daily Meditation
What Does God Want From Us?
Click here for daily readings There have been many times in my life when the feelings of frustration and despair have overwhelmed me to the point that I looked upward…