What if I told you that I could prove most of the “controversial” Marian doctrines, such as Our Lady’s status as Mediatrix of All Graces and Co-Redemptrix, from the words of the Annunciation and the Visitation? And on top of that, the key to unlocking the mysteries of these two passages comes from the First Book of Samuel?
Mary: The Blessed Handmaid of the Lord
I start my case with two expressions found in the first chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel:
1.) At the Annunciation, Our Lady consents to the archangel Gabriel’s message with the following words (St. Luke 1:38):
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.” (Douay-Rheims translation)
Here’s the Latin version from the Vulgate:
Ecce ancilla Domini: fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Continue reading