What Was Mary Like?

[scameter18]

I am a writer, and I have been considering for some time writing a novel about the Blessed Virgin, as the main character, portraying her life. But because of her unique character as the Immaculate Conception, lacking original sin, being perpetually virgin, being the Mother of God, etc., I am trying to more deeply understand the way she would have behaved, thought, felt, and understood the world. I’m also especially interested in the way she would have interacted with her Son on a daily basis. Did she know He was God, the Christ? How much did she know about His future Passion? How involved was she in the early Church, both before and after the Crucifixion? I’m not asking you guys to answer all these questions. I’m just trying to get a better grasp of her character so that, if I do write this novel, I can make it as accurate, truthful and deep as possible. I’m wanting to show both the special and the normal aspects of Mary, and to also use this as an avenue to show the human side of Christ and the way His daily life blended with His Divinity and His messianic mission. God bless and thank you all for your help.

 

[jpjd]

Unfortuately, we have no way of knowing.

Anything we say and anything you write would be speculation.

 

[centurionguard]

I am a writer, and I have been considering for some time writing a novel about the Blessed Virgin, as the main character, portraying her life. But because of her unique character as the Immaculate Conception, lacking original sin, being perpetually virgin, being the Mother of God, etc., I am trying to more deeply understand the way she would have behaved, thought, felt, and understood the world. I’m also especially interested in the way she would have interacted with her Son on a daily basis. Did she know He was God, the Christ? How much did she know about His future Passion? How involved was she in the early Church, both before and after the Crucifixion? I’m not asking you guys to answer all these questions. I’m just trying to get a better grasp of her character so that, if I do write this novel, I can make it as accurate, truthful and deep as possible. I’m wanting to show both the special and the normal aspects of Mary, and to also use this as an avenue to show the human side of Christ and the way His daily life blended with His Divinity and His messianic mission. God bless and thank you all for your help.

As a suggestion perhaps if you want to get a better picture of who Mary was as a compliment to Scripture why not read what Archbishop Fulton Sheen wrote about her in one of his most endearing books The Worlds First Love. You can purchase the book from Tan Books or read and download it for free legally here: archive.org/details/TheWorldsFirstLove

 

[Deus_lo_vult]

I am a writer, and I have been considering for some time writing a novel about the Blessed Virgin, as the main character, portraying her life. But because of her unique character as the Immaculate Conception, lacking original sin, being perpetually virgin, being the Mother of God, etc., I am trying to more deeply understand the way she would have behaved, thought, felt, and understood the world. I’m also especially interested in the way she would have interacted with her Son on a daily basis. Did she know He was God, the Christ? How much did she know about His future Passion? How involved was she in the early Church, both before and after the Crucifixion? I’m not asking you guys to answer all these questions. I’m just trying to get a better grasp of her character so that, if I do write this novel, I can make it as accurate, truthful and deep as possible. I’m wanting to show both the special and the normal aspects of Mary, and to also use this as an avenue to show the human side of Christ and the way His daily life blended with His Divinity and His messianic mission. God bless and thank you all for your help.

Well, if we are to believe the account of the Gospels, in which the angel Gabriel foretold her Son’s mission, I think she did know most (if not all) of these things. All the more reason to be amazed that she said yes to God’s plan; it’s a testament to her holiness in a world in which saying no to God is quite commonplace.

We do know, with fairly good certainty, from the revelations to a seer that have been authenticated by the Church, that she died in a house in Ephesus (modern day Turkey, presumably in proximity to the major Christian Church in Ephesus). Her house is a major shrine for Catholics and Orthodox, and even Muslims.

 

[pablope]

I am a writer, and I have been considering for some time writing a novel about the Blessed Virgin, as the main character, portraying her life. But because of her unique character as the Immaculate Conception, lacking original sin, being perpetually virgin, being the Mother of God, etc., I am trying to more deeply understand the way she would have behaved, thought, felt, and understood the world. I’m also especially interested in the way she would have interacted with her Son on a daily basis. Did she know He was God, the Christ? How much did she know about His future Passion? How involved was she in the early Church, both before and after the Crucifixion? I’m not asking you guys to answer all these questions. I’m just trying to get a better grasp of her character so that, if I do write this novel, I can make it as accurate, truthful and deep as possible. I’m wanting to show both the special and the normal aspects of Mary, and to also use this as an avenue to show the human side of Christ and the way His daily life blended with His Divinity and His messianic mission. God bless and thank you all for your help.

I am assuming you are already familiar with the Protoevangelum of James and the Dormition account by John the Theologian.

I would suggest that you ask the Eastern Catholics and orthodox, or research, about some of their traditions regarding Mary, they have much to share with us. One tidbit shared by them to me is how the BVM, at the foot of the cross, and covered in Jesus blood, asked to die also with His son, but the Son refused, the only known instance the Son refused His mother.

Also, look up the insights of the Saints, mystics, victim souls, where the BVM appeared to them. There are various revelations to them that we do not know about…such as possibly the BVM receiving the Stigmata, but hidden.

You can start here with St. Gemma Galgani…stgemmagalgani.com/2010/08/revelations-to-st-gemma-on-coredemption.html

And some from exorcists…how the BVM assists and intercedes, and how demons speak with forced reverence awe when she appears…forum.catholic.org/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=11705

 

[Della]

I’d also suggest you read “The Glories of Mary” by St. Alphonsus de Liguori in which he cites many scriptural references as well as writings of theologians and saints and blesseds of his day. Good source material.

 

[jpjd]

One tidbit shared by them to me is how the BVM, at the foot of the cross, and covered in Jesus blood, asked to die also with His son, but the Son refused, the only known instance the Son refused His mother.

This is not Divine Revelation.

 

[scameter18]

Thank you all very much for your help and references. They are greatly appreciated, and I’m glad to know there are indeed so many resources about the Blessed Virgin.
Deus_Io_vult:

We do know, with fairly good certainty, from the revelations to a seer that have been authenticated by the Church, that she died in a house in Ephesus (modern day Turkey, presumably in proximity to the major Christian Church in Ephesus). Her house is a major shrine for Catholics and Orthodox, and even Muslims.

Wouldn’t this contradict the Assumption, if she died? Perhaps that was the house where she was Assumed, instead?

 

[TimothyH]

Thank you all very much for your help and references. They are greatly appreciated, and I’m glad to know there are indeed so many resources about the Blessed Virgin.

Wouldn’t this contradict the Assumption, if she died? Perhaps that was the house where she was Assumed, instead?

Whether she was alive or died is not defined by the Church. The Eastern Churches call it “Dormition.”

-Tim-

 

[TimothyH]

I am a writer, and I have been considering for some time writing a novel about the Blessed Virgin, as the main character, portraying her life. But because of her unique character as the Immaculate Conception, lacking original sin, being perpetually virgin, being the Mother of God, etc., I am trying to more deeply understand the way she would have behaved, thought, felt, and understood the world. I’m also especially interested in the way she would have interacted with her Son on a daily basis. Did she know He was God, the Christ? How much did she know about His future Passion? How involved was she in the early Church, both before and after the Crucifixion? I’m not asking you guys to answer all these questions. I’m just trying to get a better grasp of her character so that, if I do write this novel, I can make it as accurate, truthful and deep as possible. I’m wanting to show both the special and the normal aspects of Mary, and to also use this as an avenue to show the human side of Christ and the way His daily life blended with His Divinity and His messianic mission. God bless and thank you all for your help.

One thing to consider is that Jesus, as a King, had a Queen.

http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=8996641&postcount=1

Mary was and still is a Queen.

Much of the language around Mary in the Bible is the type of language which is most often reserved for royalty. We have lost reference to this mode of speaking it in our modern democracies and republics so it is difficult to discern and easy to miss. Scripture is our most reliable source of information about Mary, and she is most often spoken to and spoken about in language reserved for royalty.

Even the image of Mary riding on a donkey while Joseph leads her and Jesus to Egypt contains royal connotations. We think it is just a caring husband letting her ride the donkey while he walks, and that is definitely so, but all through the Bible, it is kings who ride donkeys, and Jesus himself, the King of kings, who rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.

Yes, she was a humble peasant girl, and her son Jesus was a humble carpenter. But that does not make them any less a King and his Queen.

-Tim-

 

[Della]

One thing to consider is that Jesus, as a King, had a Queen.

http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=8996641&postcount=1

Mary was and still is a Queen.

Much of the language around Mary in the Bible is the type of language which is most often reserved for royalty. We have lost reference to this mode of speaking it in our modern democracies and republics so it is difficult to discern and easy to miss. Scripture is our most reliable source of information about Mary, and she is most often spoken to and spoken about in language reserved for royalty.

Even the image of Mary riding on a donkey while Joseph leads her and Jesus to Egypt contains royal connotations. We think it is just a caring husband letting her ride the donkey while he walks, and that is definitely so, but all through the Bible, it is kings who ride donkeys, and Jesus himself, the King of kings, who rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.

Yes, she was a humble peasant girl, and her son Jesus was a humble carpenter. But that does not make them any less a King and his Queen.

-Tim-

Just for our lurkers and seekers who may not go to Tim’s link, he means Mary is Jesus’ Queen Mother not his bride. I’m sure Tim would not want us to misunderstand . :tiphat:

 

[Deus_lo_vult]

Thank you all very much for your help and references. They are greatly appreciated, and I’m glad to know there are indeed so many resources about the Blessed Virgin.

Wouldn’t this contradict the Assumption, if she died? Perhaps that was the house where she was Assumed, instead?

Well yes, if the Assumption said that Mary was assumed into heaven while alive. Mary died like Christ died. The point is, although she wasn’t resurrected like Christ, her BODY was assumed incorrupt after she died; her body was free from the stain of decay. There are not remnants of Mary left on earth, though she wasn’t alive when she was Assumed.

 

[Deus_lo_vult]

Just for our lurkers and seekers who may not go to Tim’s link, he means Mary is Jesus’ Queen Mother not his bride. I’m sure Tim would not want us to misunderstand . :tiphat:

She is to Jesus what Bathsheeba was to King Solomon, the Gevira, or Queen Mother, as Della accurately points out.

 

[bjoy73]

One of the most awesome books I have read on the Blessed Mother is published by TAN and is entitled The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, From the Visions of Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich. It is private revelation, but it is still rich with what is very believable. She also had visions about Jesus’ passion that are recounted in The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Mel Gibson used that account to inspire his work on the movie The Passion of the Christ. I’m sure you could receive a great deal of inspiration from her writings.

 

[TimothyH]

Just for our lurkers and seekers who may not go to Tim’s link, he means Mary is Jesus’ Queen Mother not his bride. I’m sure Tim would not want us to misunderstand . :tiphat:

Well…

If we want to go off topic and get into the theology of it…

Mary is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God. Jesus is also God. So, as God, Jesus is both Son and Bridegroom of Blessed Virgin. And he is the creator of the Blessed Virgin.

When we think further about the fact that God the Father is Father of both Jesus and of Mary, then it gets even more complex, as if they are brother and sister.

Then, we realize that we are members in Christ’s body, and as members in the Body of Christ, we have Mary as our Mother, so this must make her our bride as well.

Indeed, Christ’s body is the Church and Mary is the Mother of the Church, and Church is the Bride of Christ…

…a mystery.

-Tim-

 

[RastaPasta]

The book that I would recommend reading is “True Devotion To Mary”, written by Saint Louis De Montfort.

It isn’t the easiest book to read, but it was the devotion that Pope John Paul II was known to have embraced.

Saint Louis De Montfort was VERY “Marian”.

 

[PJM]

I am a writer, and I have been considering for some time writing a novel about the Blessed Virgin, as the main character, portraying her life. But because of her unique character as the Immaculate Conception, lacking original sin, being perpetually virgin, being the Mother of God, etc., I am trying to more deeply understand the way she would have behaved, thought, felt, and understood the world. I’m also especially interested in the way she would have interacted with her Son on a daily basis. Did she know He was God, the Christ? How much did she know about His future Passion? How involved was she in the early Church, both before and after the Crucifixion? I’m not asking you guys to answer all these questions. I’m just trying to get a better grasp of her character so that, if I do write this novel, I can make it as accurate, truthful and deep as possible. I’m wanting to show both the special and the normal aspects of Mary, and to also use this as an avenue to show the human side of Christ and the way His daily life blended with His Divinity and His messianic mission. God bless and thank you all for your help.

This IMO say’s it best:
Luke 1:[37] For with God nothing will be impossible."
[38] And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
[39] In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah,
[40] and she entered the house of Zechari’ah and greeted Elizabeth.
[41] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
[42] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
[43] And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
[44] For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.
[45] And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
[46] And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
[47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
[48] for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
[49] for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
[50] And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
[51] He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
[52] he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
[53] he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
[54] He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
[55] as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.”

God Bless and Best wishes,
Pat

 

[scameter18]

Thank you all again for your help and references, I greatly appreciate everything you generously offer me. I especially appreciate the reference to the Magnificat, it truly reminds me why I want to write this book and just how wonderful the Blessed Virgin is. It also reminds me of Blessed John Paul II’s idea that the Church is truly more Marian even than Petrine.

Does the Church have an official teaching as to whether the Blessed Virgin was alive or dead when she was Assumed? To me it seems incorrect to compare her Assumption in type to the Resurrection. It is actually more like the Ascension, during which Christ was alive. I was always under the impression that the Blessed Virgin never died but was Assumed at some point.

God bless.

 

[Ubenedictus]

Thank you all again for your help and references, I greatly appreciate everything you generously offer me. I especially appreciate the reference to the Magnificat, it truly reminds me why I want to write this book and just how wonderful the Blessed Virgin is. It also reminds me of Blessed John Paul II’s idea that the Church is truly more Marian even than Petrine.

Does the Church have an official teaching as to whether the Blessed Virgin was alive or dead when she was Assumed? To me it seems incorrect to compare her Assumption in type to the Resurrection. It is actually more like the Ascension, during which Christ was alive. I was always under the impression that the Blessed Virgin never died but was Assumed at some point.

God bless.

let me chip in, the doctrine of d assumption skilfuly skiped the question of death, it say ‘at d completion of her earthly life’. The question of death is stil open to debate nd individual theologian have their personal views. Bl johnpaul thinks she died, many saints nd mystics agree, d early fathers have different accounts many uncertain, the theologian are not saying d same thing. So it is down to personal judgement. One thing is clear frm d church father and ancient liturgies: d holy mother of God mary most holy was asumed body and soul into heave. Hope i helped.
Ubenedictus

 

[scameter18]

You did help. Personally, I believe she was alive when she was Assumed, in order to correlate her Assumption to the Ascension of Christ. To me, they are very similar, the difference being that Christ ascended on His own power and authority, whereas the Blessed Virgin was assumed by the power and authority of God, not on her own.