📖 Special Series: Dogmas of Faith - The Divine Maternity of Mary (Mary, Mother of God)

 the Divine Maternity of Mary

Introduction

The dogma of the Divine Maternity of Mary—also known as "Mary, Mother of God"—is one of the most central points of the Christian faith and, at the same time, a theme that spans centuries of theological, cultural, and even political debate. More than a devotional question, it connects to the very understanding of Christ's identity and the construction of traditions that shaped not only spirituality but also the historical formation of the Americas, where the figure of Mary became a symbol of resistance, tenderness, and unity.

This article inaugurates the special series on Marian Dogmas on Bom Dia América, bringing depth, critical analysis and current relevance.

What does it mean to call Mary "Mother of God"?

Calling Mary the Mother of God (in Greek Theotokos, “she who gives birth to God”) does not mean that she is the origin of divinity, but that she gave birth to Jesus Christ, who is at the same time true God and true man.

This dogma was officially proclaimed at the Council of Ephesus in 431, against Nestorius's thesis, which sought to separate Christ's humanity from his divinity. The Church then declared that there is no division in the person of Jesus: He is one, and Mary, in giving birth to him, is truly the Mother of God.

> 📖 “And how is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” (Luke 1:43).

The historical and cultural dimension of Divine Motherhood

In the Americas, devotion to Mary as Mother of God shaped not only spirituality but also culture and politics. From the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico to the Virgin of Aparecida in Brazil, her figure was fundamental to the construction of the identity of peoples seeking dignity in the face of colonization.

Motherhood, in the social imagination, connects Mary to the daily lives of millions of people, especially women, who find in her not only an icon of faith, but also a mirror of their struggles.

Contemporary criticism: myth, devotion and power

Although widely accepted in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, the dogma of Divine Maternity is also a subject of debate in ecumenical dialogue. Many Protestants prefer the title "Mother of Jesus," fearing that "Mother of God" diminishes divine transcendence.

Furthermore, critics point out how Marian exaltation has, at various times, been instrumentalized to legitimize political projects or reinforce patriarchal hierarchies. However, the figure of Mary has also been reinterpreted in social, feminist, and liberation theological movements, which see her as a symbol of acceptance and strength.

The dogma and its relevance for the Americas

In societies marked by fragmentation and weakened institutions, the Divine Motherhood of Mary reemerges as an axis of spiritual and cultural unity. More than a dogma of the past, it is a key to understanding the identity of the Americas, where faith and politics walk hand in hand.

In times of debates about immigration, social inequality and justice, Mary as Mother of God reminds us of the need to view humanity through the lens of compassion and dignity.

Visual resources

🎥 Short video: Council of Ephesus and the definition of Mary as Mother of God.

Related products

1. 📘 Book " Mary, Mother of God: Theology and History "

2. 🎥 Online course on Mariology – Hotmart

3. 🕯️ Decorative image of Our Lady

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Conclusion: Mary Mother of God today

The dogma of Mary's Divine Motherhood remains a beacon for understanding the relationship between faith, culture, and identity in the contemporary world. In the heart of the Americas, Mary continues to be called Mother of God not only as a theological title, but as an expression of hope, resilience, and acceptance.

References

COUNCIL OF EPHESUS. Dogmatic definitions. Ephesus, 431.

BROWN, Raymond. Mary in the New Testament. São Paulo: Paulinas, 2003.

KÜNG, Hans. Christianity: Essence and History. Rio de Janeiro: Objetiva, 2001.

RATZINGER, Joseph. Introduction to Christianity. São Paulo: Loyola, 2005.