Marian Devotions

Marian devotions are prayers, practices, and celebrations conducted in several Christian denominations to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus. They have their origins in the earliest writings of the Christian Church, which show Mary’s presence and role in the birth, life, death, and resurrection ministry of Christ. By the Middle Ages, many prayers and practices that focused on Mary’s obedience to God and her role in Christ’s earthly ministry had been established. Some of these included the rosary and the prayer known as the Hail Mary. Special days and months honoring Mary as well as additional prayers, such as novenas were also added. These devotions are most common among Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and some Orthodox denominations.

Background

Mary is introduced in the birth narratives of Jesus found in the Christian Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Luke describes how a young Jewish girl named Mary was visited by the powerful archangel Gabriel, who told her that she would become pregnant by God’s Holy Spirit. The angel said the son resulting from this divine encounter would be the center point of God’s plan to save humanity from the effects of its own sinful behavior (Luke 1:26–38).

The Gospels also portray Mary as having a key role in the initiation of Christ’s public ministry. In the Gospel of John, Mary and Jesus are at a wedding when the wine runs out. Mary appeals to Jesus to help the family out of this humiliating circumstance. In response to Mary’s request, Jesus turns six large jars of water into wine, saving face for the family (John 2:1–11). John’s Gospel designates this as the first of Jesus’ miraculous signs and says it caused his disciples to believe in him.

The Bible also describes Mary following along as her son is led to crucifixion (John 19:25–27) and remaining with the disciples following his death and resurrection (Acts 1:13–14). She is depicted as being with them when they gathered together in fellowship and prayer as they prepared to continue Christ’s ministry on earth. Mary’s pivotal role in the birth and ministry of Christ, along with her example of obedience to God, led the early Church to hold her in high regard as an example to be followed.

Overview

The recognition of Mary’s irreplaceable role in Christ’s life and ministry began with her inclusion in the first-century work of the gospel writers and Paul, who wrote numerous letters included in the Christian Bible. It was continued by many second-century writers. Ignatius of Antioch; Abercius, Bishop of Hierapolis; and Irenaeus of Lyons all mentioned Mary’s importance in the story of Christ’s life and work.

Early Christians were also interested in knowing more about her, as evidenced by the non-Biblical writing known as the Protoevangelium of James, also called the Gospel of Mary. Written about 150 CE, this work includes details about Mary’s parents and her childhood and indicates second-century Christians were both interested in and beginning to honor Mary. By the end of the century, depictions of Mary were carved into the rock walls of catacombs, demonstrating a desire to honor her and invoke her intercession to Christ on behalf of the dead.

The earliest known prayer honoring Mary—Sub tuum praesidium—was composed in around 300 CE and asks Mary for prayers of protection. The fourth century also saw the first cathedrals, basilicas, and churches built to honor Mary. Numerous religious leaders and theologians drew attention to Mary’s role in Christ’s purpose on earth. Athanasius, a fourth-century bishop of Alexandria, called her the Theotokos, or “God-bearer,” and this name for Mary was formalized by the Council of Ephesus in 431 CE.

Along with this focus on Mary’s role in Christ’s incarnation, or assumption of human form, came the establishment of a number of Marian devotions. An early form of the prayer known as the “Hail Mary,” which are the first words spoken by Gabriel in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel, was written and promoted by Bishop Gregory of Nyssa in the fourth century. By the fifth century, Christians were celebrating the Feast of the Annunciation each March 25 in honor of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary. Several Christian denominations, including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and some Orthodox faiths continue to celebrate this feast each year.

Other Marian holy days and celebrations followed. The entire month of May is set aside by some to honor Mary. This tradition, which began in the thirteenth century, is marked by special prayers and prayer services. One common custom associated with Mary in this month is a coronation. Young girls serve as an honor court to Mary during a special ceremony that climaxes with the placement of a crown of flowers on a statue of Mary. The calendars of various churches also include numerous Marian holidays, such as the Feast of the Assumption, which is celebrated on August 15. It commemorates when some believe Mary was taken up bodily into heaven after her death.

The thirteenth century was also the start of what is perhaps the best-known Marian devotion, the rosary. The rosary consists of a circlet of beads with a short separate strand extension. The strand includes a crucifix, one large bead, and three smaller beads. The main circlet includes five large beads and fifty smaller ones arranged in a repeating pattern of one large bead followed by ten small ones. Followers of this devotion offer a series of prayers while fingering the beads to keep their place and meditating on various events in the life of Jesus. While many sources attribute the origin of praying the rosary to Saint Dominic, others cite similar practices that had begun earlier. The practice of praying the rosary is most commonly associated with Roman Catholics. However, Anglicans and others use a form of the rosary as a means of focusing prayer and meditation.

In addition to holy days, prayers, and the rosary, Mary is also honored through novenas. Novenas are sets of prayers repeated over a period of time, usually a series of days or weeks. They are focused on asking Mary to intercede with Christ on behalf of the individuals praying the novena. Some are associated with claims that Mary has appeared to people on earth, known as Marian apparitions. The most widely known Marian apparitions include the apparitions at Lourdes, France, in 1858; Knock, Ireland, in 1879, Fátima, Portugal, in 1917; and Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, beginning in 1981. In 2024, the Vatican approved the shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows of Chandavila in Spain as a Marian apparition site.

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