Virgin Mary (Mother of Christ Jesus)

VIRGIN MARY (MOTHER OF CHRIST JESUS) - Found on the gravestones of individuals of the Catholic faith.  She is the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary, Blessed Virgin and Madonna; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics.  

At the announcement that she would give birth to 'the Son of the Most High' without knowing man, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary responded with the obedience of faith, certain that 'with God nothing will be impossible.

(KJV Luke 1:38) -  And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.  

As St. Irenaeus says, 'Being obedient she became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.'   Hence not a few of the early Fathers gladly assert,  The knot of Eve's disobedience was untied by Mary's obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by her faith.  Comparing her with Eve, they call Mary 'the Mother of the living' and frequently claim: Death through Eve, life through Mary. 

Mary was there at the Incarnation, Birth, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of the One Christians proclaim is God Incarnate, Jesus Christ.   She was there throughout what are often called the "hidden years" in His life at Nazareth.  His disciples spent three years with Him, during His "public ministry," but Mary spent thirty three years.