08/17/2026
“He that is mighty has magnified me, and holy is his name.” - The Blessed Virgin Mary
In Luke chapter 1, Mary is described as a virgin of Nazareth, pledged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of David. This humble young girl was visited by an angel of the Lord and greeted with high honor. “Do not be afraid, Mary;” The angel said. “You have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Mary’s response has been a model for all Christians, “Behold, I am a servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” Mary conceived, just as the angel foretold. Bearing God within her womb, Mary has been called “Blessed” and “the Theotokos” (God-bearer) by Christians of subsequent generations. She was present with Jesus in his earthly ministry and witnessed his suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. She was present with the Apostles at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell upon the church and empowered them to obey the Great Commission. Some church traditions say that Mary, like Elijah and Enoch, never died but was taken (or “assumed”) into heaven. Others say that she died (“dormition”), and that her body was received into heaven. In either case, Christians of all traditions have given her highest honor, among all of God’s creatures.
O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Art & history by Ben Lansing
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