The Marian Mystery: The Outline of a Mariology

Fr. Denis Farkasfalvy discusses the development of Catholic doctrine regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary. The damage done by much modern speculative theology largely stems from the failure to distinguish fact from fiction in the study of Mariology. Farkasfalvy addresses this, beginning with a biblical and patristic inquiry about the place and meaning of Mary in salvation history with reference to the Hebrew Scriptures. He recognizes that Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2 cannot be read in isolation from the Mariological tradition of the second century—which emphasized the Mary/Eve parallel from Genesis. Following the lead of the evangelists, the Church Fathers established the link between Christology and the role of Mary as Virgin and Mother. Such eminent theologians as Origen, Athanasius, and Ambrose professed and defended the universally acknowledged article of faith regarding Mary’s perpetual virginity. The contributions of the Eastern Churches were key to the development of the Church’s teachings on Mary and her role as Mother of God. The doctrine of Mary’s sinlessness, leading to the formulation of the doctrine of her Immaculate Conception is thoroughly treated by Farkasfalvy, as is her Assumption into heaven and her role as Mother of the Church.