In 431 at the Council of Ephesus the Church declared that Mary was indeed, as the mother of Jesus also the Mother of God - Theotokus. This declaration, rooted in long held belief, was formalized in that Council, and emphasises the central truth of the Incarnation: that Jesus was not only a true human being, but God as well; and not only God, but born of a woman.
Soon after that declaration, the Holy Father, Pope Sixtus, built a church on a hill in Rome in honor of Mary, the first church in the West dedicated to Our Lady. On this site has stood a church since that time. Today that Church is the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. It is one of the four major pilgrimage churches in Rome during a Holy Year, the others being Saint Peter's at the Vatican, Saint John Lateran (the Cathedral church of Rome) and Saint Paul Outside the Wall. The Holy Father concludes the Corpus Christi procession in June at this Church. It is in the heart of the city, as Mary is at the heart of our love and Faith. May we always make a place for Theotokus in our lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment