Marian Doctrines

Church References

References from Early Church Fathers ...

Protestants who are critical of Catholicism often claim that the Marian doctrines are a late invention. The quotations in this article from the Early Church Fathers demonstrates that this is not the case. Many of these quotations are from the time of St. Augustine and before.

Some might dismiss these quotation by claiming that the Catholic Church had already become corrupt. Unfortunately, this argument has a side-effect. These same church fathers were also discussing and developing other important doctrines such as ...

The Trinity
The Divinity of Christ

They were also fighting heresy and determining the canon of scripture. If they were wrong about Mary how can we trust them about the other things?

Protestants who are critical of Catholicism often use quotations from Augustine to demonstrate that the early church was Protestant, not Catholic. One problem with this argument is that Augustine clearly held Catholic views regarding Mary, the Eucharist, and many other topics.

Mary is Sinless (Immaculate Conception)

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Mary is Sinless (Immaculate Conception)

Martyr, presbyter and antipope; date of birth unknown; d. about 236.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0504.htm

On the End of the World

immaculate and virgin Mary

all-holy Virgin

Born at Neocaesarea in Pontus (Asia Minor) about 213; died there 270-275.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07015a.htm

FOUR HOMILIES. THE FIRST HOMILY. ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.

Meekly, then, did grace make election of the pure Mary alone out of all generations. For she proved herself prudent truly in all things; neither has any woman been born like her in all generations.

FOUR HOMILIES. THE THIRD HOMILY. ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.

how can Mary sustain the fire of the divinity? Thy throne blazes with the illumination of its splendour, and can the virgin receive Thee without being consumed?"

Hail, thou stainless mother of the Bridegroom of a world bereft!

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/110105.htm

CONFESSIONS BOOK V. CHAP. X.--WHEN HE HAD LEFT THE MANICHAEANS, HE RETAINED HIS DEPRAVED OPINIONS CONCERNING SIN AND THE ORIGIN OF THE SAVIOUR. Verse 20.

Such a nature, then, I thought could not be born of the Virgin Mary without being mingled with the flesh; and how that which I had thus figured to myself could be mingled without being contaminated, I saw not. I was afraid, therefore, to believe Him to be born in the flesh, lest I should be compelled to believe Him contaminated by the flesh?

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1503.htm

CHAP. 42 [XXXVI.] -- THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MAY HAVE LIVED WITHOUT SIN. NONE OF THE SAINTS BESIDES HER WITHOUT SIN.

grace for overcoming sin in every particular was conferred upon her who had the merit to conceive and bear Him who undoubtedly had no sin

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

REPLY TO FAUSTUS THE MANICHAEAN

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/140614.htm

BOOK XIV.

A.D. 400.

Paragraph 5

Christ's flesh was not sinful, because it was not born of Mary by ordinary generation; but because death is the effect of sin, this flesh, in being mortal, had the likeness of sinful flesh.

COMPOSED BY ST. ADAEUS AND ST. MARIS, TEACHERS OF THE EASTERNS / ELUCIDATIONS

ELUCIDATIONS

V. (For all the prophets and confessors, p. 565.)

INTRODUCTORY NOTICE TO THE EARLY LITURGIES

Renaudot alone seems to have been prepared to acknowledge in some degree its great antiquity." He thinks that it is "one of the earliest, and perhaps the very earliest

http://www.synaxis.org/ecf/volume07/ECF00043.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0719.htm

These commemorations of the dead, it will be noted, are in behalf of the most glorious apostles and saints, and for martyrs who go straight to glory. Obviously, as Usher has said, for whatever purpose, then, the departed were commemorated, it was not to change their estate before the resurrection, much less to relieve them from purgatorial penalties. This comes out in the "Liturgy of St. Chrysostom" (so called), where it is said: "We offer to Thee this reasonable service for those who have fallen asleep in faith, ... patriarchs, apostles, evangelists, martyrs, ... and every just one made perfect in the faith: especially our all-holy, undefiled, most blessed Lady, Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary," etc. But she, they tell us, was assumed into glory, like Christ Himself, and reigns with Him as "Queen of Angels,"

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Devotion to Mary

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0614.htm

Thy glory is great; for thou art exalted above all women of renown, and thou art shown to be more queenly than all queens.

Born at Neocaesarea in Pontus (Asia Minor) about 213; died there 270-275.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07015a.htm

FOUR HOMILIES. THE FIRST HOMILY. ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.

Meekly, then, did grace make election of the pure Mary alone out of all generations. For she proved herself prudent truly in all things; neither has any woman been born like her in all generations.

that makes glad the souls of those who honour thee?

FOUR HOMILIES. THE SECOND HOMILY. ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.

festival of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, the mother of God,

FOUR HOMILIES. THE THIRD HOMILY. ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.

Hail, thou stainless mother of the Bridegroom of a world bereft!

Became Bishop of Alexandria in 300; martyred Nov., 311.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0621.htm

FRAGMENTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF PETER

born according to the flesh of our holy and glorious lady, Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin, and, of a truth, of Mary the Mother of God;

Became Bishop of Alexandria in 300; martyred Nov., 311.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0619.htm

they came to the church of the most blessed mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary,

Attributed to "Joseph the high priest, perhaps Caiaphas"

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0806.htm

THE ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE INFANCY OF THE SAVIOUR

The Lady Mary said: As my son has no equal among children, so his mother has no equal among women.

Somewhere in the 3rd and 4th century

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0717.htm

holy God-mother, and ever-virgin Mary;

all-holy, pure, most glorious, blessed Lady, the God-Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary,

Born about the year 342; died 420

Letter XXII - 384

TO EUSTOCHIUM

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001022.htm

What will be the glory of that day when Mary, the mother of the Lord, shall come to meet you, accompanied by her virgin choirs!

Born probably 329; died 1 January, 379

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3202360.htm

Letter 360. Of the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the invocation of Saints, and their Images.

I confess to the oeconomy of the Son in the flesh, and that the holy Mary, who gave birth to Him according to the flesh, was Mother of God. I acknowledge also the holy apostles, prophets, and martyrs; and I invoke them to supplication to God, that through them, that is, through their mediation, the merciful God may be propitious to me, and that a ransom may be made and given me for my sins. Wherefore also I honour and kiss the features of their images, inasmuch as they have been handed down from the holy apostles, and are not forbidden, but are in all our churches.

from 374 to 397; born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34023.htm

On the Holy Spirit

Book III

CHAPTER XI.

does not accordingly follow that Mary is to be worshipped.

80. And let no one divert this to the Virgin Mary; Mary was the temple of God, not the God of the temple. And therefore He alone is to be worshipped

from 374 to 397; born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34072.htm

THREE BOOKS OF St. AMBROSE BISHOP OF MILAN TO MARCELLINA HIS SISTER -- CONCERNING VIRGINS, BOOK II

CHAPTER II.

The life of Mary is set before virgins as an example, and her many virtues are dwelt upon, her chastity, humility, hard life, love of retirement, and the like; then her kindness to others, her zeal in learning, and love of frequenting the temple. St. Ambrose then sets forth how she, adorned with all these virtues, will come to meet the numberless bands of virgins and lead them with great triumph to the bridal chamber of the Spouse.

6. LET, then, the life of Mary be as it were virginity itself, set forth in a likeness, from which, as from a mirror, the appearance of chastity and the form of virtue is reflected. From this you may take your pattern of life, showing, as an example, the clear rules of virtue: what you have to correct, to effect, and to hold fast.

7. The first thing which kindles ardour in learning is the greatness of the teacher. What is greater than the Mother of God? What more glorious than she whom Glory Itself chose? What more chaste than she who bore a body without contact with another body? For why should I speak of her other virtues? She was a virgin not only in body but also in mind,

CHAPTER III.

St. Ambrose having set forth the Virgin Mary as a pattern for life

21. Some one will say: "Why have you brought forward the example of Mary, as if any one could be found to imitate the Lord's mother?

born at Rome about 540; died 12 March 604.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360213.htm

BOOK XIII In the Sixth Indiction, and the Thirteenth Year FROM His Ordination.

EPISTLE IX. To Thalassia, Abbess.

monastery of Saint Mary

Doctor of the Church, born at Arianzus, in Asia Minor, c. 325; died at the same place, 389.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360201.htm

[Devotion to Mary]

EPISTLE LVI.

TO PETER, SUBDEACON.

Oratory of the Blessed Mary

One of the famous historians of the early Church, born at Bethelia, a small town near Gaza in Palestine, in the last quarter of the fourth century; died probably in 447 or 448.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/26027.htm

THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF SALAMINIUS HERMIAS SOZOMENUS

BOOK VII.

CHAP. V

For the power of God was there manifested, and was helpful both in waking visions and in dreams, often for the relief of many diseases and for those afflicted by some sudden transmutation in their affairs. The power was accredited to Mary, the Mother of God, the holy virgin, for she does manifest herself in this way.

Born at Damascus, about 676; died some time between 754 and 787

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/33044.htm

CHAPTER XIV.

Concerning our Lord's genealogy and concerning the holy Mother of God.

Concerning the holy and much-lauded ever-virgin one, Mary, the Mother of God The ever-virgin One thus remains even after the birth still virgin, having never at any time up till death consorted with a man.

Must there not therefore be a Mother of God who bore God incarnate? Assuredly she who played the part of the Creator's servant and mother is in all strictness and truth in reality God's Mother and Lady and Queen over all created things.

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Perpetual Virginity

150 A.D.

The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother of Jesus Christ

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/infancyjames-roberts.html

And the child [Mary] was three years old, and Joachim said: Invite the daughters of the Hebrews that are undefiled, and let them take each a lamp, and let them stand with the lamps burning, that the child may not turn back, and her heart be captivated from the temple of the Lord. And they did so until they went up into the temple of the Lord. And the priest received her, and kissed her, and blessed her, saying: The Lord has magnified thy name in all generations. In thee, on the last of the days, the Lord will manifest His redemption to the sons of Israel. And he set her down upon the third step of the altar, and the Lord God sent grace upon her; and she danced with her feet, and all the house of Israel loved her.

Behold, Mary has reached the age of twelve years in the temple of the Lord. What then shall we do with her, test perchance she defile the sanctuary of the Lord? And they said to the high priest: Thou standest by the altar of the Lord; go in, and pray concerning her; and whatever the Lord shall manifest unto thee, that also will we do. And the high priest went in, taking the robe with the twelve bells into the holy of holies; and he prayed concerning her. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him, saying unto him: Zacharias, Zacharias, go out and assemble the widowers of the people, and let them bring each his rod; and to whomsoever the Lord shall show a sign, his wife shall she be. And the heralds went out through all the circuit of Judaea, and the trumpet of the Lord sounded, and all ran.

9. And Joseph, throwing away his axe, went out to meet them; and when they had assembled, they went away to the high priest, taking with them their rods. And he, taking the rods of all of them, entered into the temple, and prayed; and having ended his prayer, he took the rods and came out, and gave them to them: but there was no sign in them, and Joseph took his rod last; and, behold, a dove came out of the rod, and flew upon Joseph's head. And the priest said to Joseph, Thou hast been chosen by lot to take into thy keeping the virgin of the Lord. But Joseph refused, saying: I have children, and I am an old man, and she is a young girl. I am afraid lest I become a laughing-stock to the sons of Israel. And the priest said to Joseph: Fear the Lord thy God, and remember what the Lord did to Dathan, and Abiram, and Korah; how the earth opened, and they were swallowed up on account of their contradiction. And now fear, O Joseph, lest the same things happen in thy house. And Joseph was afraid, and took her into his keeping. And Joseph said to Mary: Behold, I have received thee from the temple of the Lord; and now I leave thee in my house, and go away to build my buildings, and I shall come to thee. The Lord will protect thee.

13. And she was in her sixth month; and, behold, Joseph came back from his building, and, entering into his house, he discovered that she was big with child. And he smote his face, and threw himself on the ground upon the sackcloth, and wept bitterly, saying: With what face shall I look upon the Lord my God? and what prayer shall I make about this maiden? because I received her a virgin out of the temple of the Lord, and I have not watched over her. Who is it that has hunted me down? Who has done this evil thing in my house, and defiled the virgin? Has not the history of Adam been repeated in me? For just as Adam was in the hour of his singing praise, and the serpent came, and found Eve alone, and completely deceived her, so it has happened to me also. And Joseph stood up from the sackcloth, and called Mary, and said to her: O thou who hast been cared for by God, why hast thou done this and forgotten the Lord thy God? Why hast thou brought low thy soul, thou that wast brought up in the holy of holies, and that didst receive food from the hand of an angel? And she wept bitterly, saying: I am innocent, and have known no man. And Joseph said to her: Whence then is that which is in thy womb? And she said: As the Lord my God liveth, I do not know whence it is to me.

Martyr, presbyter and antipope; date of birth unknown; d. about 236.

all-holy Mary, ever-virgin

Born in 185, died 254

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/101501.htm

COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: BOOK I

6. THE FOURFOLD GOSPEL. JOHN'S THE FIRST FRUITS OF THE FOUR. QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY FOR INTERPRETING IT.

no other son but Jesus

Born in 185, died 254

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1016.htm

BOOK X.

COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW (written 246-248)

17. THE BRETHREN OF JESUS.

But some say, basing it on a tradition in the Gospel according to Peter, as it is entitled, or "The Book of James," that the brethren of Jesus were sons of Joseph by a former wife, whom he married before Mary. Now those who say so wish to preserve the honour of Mary in virginity to the end,

Born at Neocaesarea in Pontus (Asia Minor) about 213; died there 270-275.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07015a.htm

FOUR HOMILIES. THE FIRST HOMILY. ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.

Shall I still remain a virgin? is the honour of virginity not then lost by me?

FOUR HOMILIES. THE THIRD HOMILY. ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.

how can Mary sustain the fire of the divinity? Thy throne blazes with the illumination of its splendour, and can the virgin receive Thee without being consumed?"

Hail, thou stainless mother of the Bridegroom of a world bereft!

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm

About the same date (c. 400) Rufinus (Migne, P.L., XXI, 337) gives a detailed account of the composition of the Creed, which account he professes to have received from earlier ages

COMMENTARY ON THE APOSTLES' CREED

This exposition of the Creed was made at the request of Laurentius, a Bishop whose see is unknown, but is conjectured by Fontanini, in his life of Rufinus, to have been Concordia, Rufinus' birthplace. Its exact date cannot be fixed; but from the fact that he says nothing of his difficulty in writing Latin after being so long in the East, as he does in several of his books, and from the comparative ease of the style, it is most probable that it was written in the later years of his

sojourn at Aquileia, that is, about 307-309.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2711.htm

RUFINUS -- A COMMENTARY ON THE APOSTLES' CREED.

Virgin-state being preserved inviolate, the gate of the Virgin remained closed for ever.

Became Bishop of Alexandria in 300; martyred Nov., 311.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0621.htm

FRAGMENTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF PETER

born according to the flesh of our holy and glorious lady, Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin, and, of a truth, of Mary the Mother of God;

Became Bishop of Alexandria in 300; martyred Nov., 311.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0619.htm

they came to the church of the most blessed mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary,

Somewhere in the 3rd and 4th century

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0717.htm

holy God-mother, and ever-virgin Mary;

all-holy, pure, most glorious, blessed Lady, the God-Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary,

Born probably 329; died 1 January, 379

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3202360.htm

Letter 360. Of the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the invocation of Saints, and their Images.

Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church, born about 315; died probably 18 March, 386.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310112.htm

CATECHETICAL LECTURES,

LECTURE XII.

Paragraph 34.

the Virgins have their portion with Mary the Virgin.

from 374 to 397;

born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3408.htm

THE TREATISE OF St. AMBROSE BISHOP OF MILAN CONCERNING WIDOWS

CHAPTER IV.

By the example of Anna St. Ambrose shows what ought to be the life of widows, and shows that she was an example of chastity at every age. From this he argues that there are three degrees of the same virtue, all of which are included in the Church, and sets forth several examples in Mary, in Anna, and in Susanna. But, he adds, the state of virginity is superior to either of the others, but that a widow ought to take greater care for the preservation of her good name.

24. Let us remember then how Mary, how Anna, and how Susanna are spoken of. But since not only must we celebrate their praises but also follow their manner of life, let us remember where Susanna, and Anna, and Mary are found, and observe how each is spoken of with her special commendation, and where each is mentioned, she that is married in the garden, the widow in the temple, the virgin in her secret chamber.

25. But in the former the fruit is later, in virginity it is earlier; old age proves them, virginity is the praise of youth, and does not need the help of years, being the fruit of every age. It becomes early years, it adorns youth, it adds to the dignity of age, and at all ages it has the gray hairs of its righteousness, the ripeness of its gravity, the veil of modesty, which does hinder devotion and increases religion. For we see by what follows that holy Mary went every year with Joseph to Jerusalem on the solemn day of the passover. Everywhere in company with the Virgin is eager devotion and a zealous sharer of her chastity. Nor is the Mother of the Lord puffed up, as though secure of her own merits, but the more she recognized her merit, the more fully did she pay her vows, the more abundantly did she perform her service, the more fully did she discharge her office, the more religiously did she perform her duty and fill up the mystic time.

26. How much more then does it beseem you to be intent on the pursuit of chastity, t you leave any place for unfavourable opinion who have the evidence of your modesty and your behaviour alone. For a virgin, though in her also character rather than the body has the first claim, puts away calumny by the integrity of her body, a widow who has lost the assistance of being able to prove her virginity undergoes the inquiry as to her chastity not according to the word of a midwife, but according to her own manner of life. Scripture, then, has shown how attentive and religious should be the disposition of a widow.

from 374 to 397; born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34072.htm

THREE BOOKS OF St. AMBROSE BISHOP OF MILAN TO MARCELLINA HIS SISTER -- CONCERNING VIRGINS, BOOK II

CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER III.

St. Ambrose having set forth the Virgin Mary as a pattern for life

21. Some one will say: "Why have you brought forward the example of Mary, as if any one could be found to imitate the Lord's mother?

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1701028.htm

TRACTATE 28 (JOHN 7:1-13)

Paragraph 3

all other near kindred by the term brethren

When, therefore, you hear of the Lord's brethren, consider them the blood relations of Mary, who did not a second time bear children

Mary's womb, neither before nor after conceived anything mortal.

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1701010.htm

TRACTATE 10 (JOHN 2:12-21)

Mary did not give birth a second time? Far from it ! With her begins the dignity of virgins.

all the blood relations of Mary are the brethren of Christ.

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1701120.htm

TRACTATE 120 (JOHN 19:31-20:9)

in the womb of the Virgin Mary no one was conceived before Him, and no one after Him,

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/15072.htm

ON MARRIAGE AND CONCUPISCENCE - BOOK II.

BY AURELIUS AUGUSTIN, BISHOP OF HIPPO; WRITTEN IN 419 AND 420,

CHAP. 15.--MAN, BY BIRTH, IS PLACED UNDER THE DOMINION OF THE DEVIL THROUGH SIN; WE WERE ALL ONE IN ADAM WHEN HE SINNED.

the permanent virginity of the blessed Mary even after child-bearing,

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

ON MARRIAGE AND CONCUPISCENCE. WRITTEN IN 419 AND 420,

BOOK I.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/15071.htm

CHAP. 12 [XI.]--MARRIAGE DOES NOT CANCEL A MUTUAL VOW OF

CONTINENCE; THERE WAS TRUE WEDLOCK BETWEEN MARY AND JOSEPH; IN WHAT

WAY JOSEPH WAS THE FATHER OF CHRIST.

mutual consent agreed to observe a perpetual abstinence from the use of carnal concupiscence.

had no carnal knowledge of her, nor was destined to have.

CHAP. 13.--IN THE MARRIAGE OF MARY AND JOSEPH THERE WERE ALL THE BLESSINGS OF THE WEDDED STATE; ALL THAT IS BORN OF CONCUBINAGE IS SINFUL FLESH.

may not persons remain man and wife when they cease by mutual consent from cohabitation; seeing that Joseph and Mary continued such, though they never even began to cohabit?

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

REPLY TO FAUSTUS THE MANICHAEAN

BOOK XXII.

A.D. 400.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/140622.htm

Paragraph 35

customary to call cousins brothers and sisters. Thus

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1310.htm

OF HOLY VIRGINITY.

Paragraph 2

the whole Church itself is a virgin espoused unto one Husband Christ, as the Apostle saith, of how great honor are its members worthy, who guard this even in the flesh itself, which the whole Church guards in the faith ? which imitates the mother of her husband, and her Lord.

Paragraph 4

"How," saith she, " shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" Which assuredly she would not say, unless she had before vowed herself unto God as a virgin.

she would not have asked, how, being a female, she should give birth to her promised Son, if she had married with purpose of sexual intercourse.

determined to continue a virgin,

Paragraph 5

holy virgins; and themselves together with Mary are mothers of Christ,

faithful ones should be born in the Church, who are members of That Head: but in the flesh, the mother of the Head Himself.

Converted in 386, Bishop of Hippo 396-430

Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

SERMON I.

[LI. BENEDICTINE EDITION.]

OF THE AGREEMENT OF THE EVANGELISTS MATTHEW AND LUKE IN THE

GENERATIONS OF THE LORD.

a virgin she continued;

Paragraph 22

our ancient fathers, whose sole design in their marriage was to have children by their wives. For those even who, according to the custom of their time and nation, had a plurality of wives, lived in such chastity with them

Born about the year 342; died 420

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001048.htm

Letter 48, TO PAMMACHIUS, written 393 or 394 A.D.

21. Christ Himself is a virgin; and His mother is also a virgin; yea, though she is His mother, she is a virgin still.

Born about the year 342; died 420

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3007.htm

The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary

St. Jerome

Against Helvidius

This tract appeared about A.D. 383

The question which gave occasion to it was whether the Mother of our Lord remained a Virgin after His birth. Helvidius maintained that the mention in the Gospels of the "sisters" and "brethren" of our Lord was proof that the Blessed Virgin had subsequent issue, and he supported his

opinion by the writings of Tertullian and Victorinus.

Jerome vigorously takes the other side, and maintains against Helvidius three propositions:

1. That Joseph was only putatively, not really, the husband of Mary.

2. That the "brethren" of the Lord were his cousins, not his own brethren.

3. That virginity is better than the married state.

Born about the year 342; died 420

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/30111.htm

AGAINST THE PELAGIANS

Book 1

DIALOGUE BETWEEN ATTICUS, A CATHOLIC, AND CRITOBULUS, A HERETIC.

Prologue.

Paragraph 2

perpetual virginity of Saint Mary.

Born about the year 342; died 420

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001052.htm

THE LETTERS OF St. JEROME:

LETTER LII.

TO NEPOTIAN.

Let Wisdom alone embrace me; let her nestle in my bosom, my Abishag who grows not old. Undefiled truly is she, and a virgin forever for although she daily conceives and unceasingly brings to the birth, like Mary she remains undeflowered.

A monk and ascetic writer of Southern Gaul, and the first to introduce the rules of Eastern monasticism into the West, b. probably in Provence about 360; d. about 435

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/35097.htm

THE SEVEN BOOKS OF JOHN CASSIAN ON THE INCARNATION OF THE LORD -- AGAINST NESTORIUS, BOOK VII

CHAPTER XXV.

Virgin after the birth. As is said in Ezekiel: "And the gate was shut and not opened, because the Lord passed through it." A splendid Virginity, and wondrous fruitfulness! The Lord of the world is born: and there are no cries from her who brought Him forth. The womb is left empty, and a true child is born, and yet the Virginity is not destroyed.

Mary the mother of God.

One of the famous historians of the early Church, born at Bethelia, a small town near Gaza in Palestine, in the last quarter of the fourth century; died probably in 447 or 448.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/26021.htm

THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF SALAMINIUS HERMIAS SOZOMENUS

BOOK I.

CHAP. I

the mother remaining a virgin after His birth

One of the famous historians of the early Church, born at Bethelia, a small town near Gaza in Palestine, in the last quarter of the fourth century; died probably in 447 or 448.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/26027.htm

THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF SALAMINIUS HERMIAS SOZOMENUS

BOOK VII.

CHAP. V

COMPOSED BY ST. ADAEUS AND ST. MARIS, TEACHERS OF THE EASTERNS / ELUCIDATIONS

ELUCIDATIONS

V. (For all the prophets and confessors, p. 565.)

INTRODUCTORY NOTICE TO THE EARLY LITURGIES

Renaudot alone seems to have been prepared to acknowledge in some degree its great antiquity."49 He thinks that it is "one of the earliest, and perhaps the very earliest

http://www.synaxis.org/ecf/volume07/ECF00043.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0719.htm

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3811.htm

The Fourth Ecumenical Council--The Council of Chalcedon

SESSION II.

THE TOME OF ST. LEO.

blessed and ever Virgin Mary

Bishop of Cyrus and theologian, born at Antioch in Syria about 393; died about 457.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2703.htm

DIALOGUES--THE "ERANISTES" OR "POLYMORPHUS" OF THE BLESSED THEODORETUS, BISHOP OF CYRUS, DIALOGUE II: THE UNCONFOUNDED

Son of Mary converses with brothers, but the only begotten has no brothers, for how could the name of only begotten be preserved among brothers?

Holy Virgin as Mother of God because

(Reigned 440-61).

Place and date of birth unknown; died 10 November, 461

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360322.htm

SERMON XXII.

ON THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY, II.

born of a Virgin, without paternal desire, without injury to the mother's chastity:

a Virgin she remained.

(Reigned 440-61).

Place and date of birth unknown; died 10 November, 461

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3604028.htm

LETTER XXVIII.

TO FLAVIAN

blessed Mary ever Virgin

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0848.htm

Here beginneth the book of the Birth of the Blessed Mary and the

Infancy of the Saviour. Written in Hebrew by the Blessed Evangelist

Matthew, and translated into Latin by the Blessed Presbyter Jerome.

[Says Jerome] - There is extant another letter to the same bishops, attributed to Jerome: --

You ask me to let you know what I think of a book held by some to be about the nativity of St. Mary. And so I wish you to know that there is much in it that is false. For one Seleucus, who wrote the Sufferings of the Apostles, composed this book.

[I should paraphrase the story] - if Thou, O God, shouldst give me son or daughter, I would offer them to Thee in Thy holy temple.

placed the infant, Mary by name, in the community of virgins, in which the virgins remained day and night praising God.

constant in prayer, and her appearance was so beautiful and glorious,

Mary forbade them, saying: It cannot be that I should know a man, or that a man should know me

, I have resolved in my heart that I should not know a man at all.

when she was fourteen s years old, and on this account there was occasion for the Pharisees' saying that it was now a custom that no woman of that age should abide in the temple of God,

But when they came to the proper age they were given in marriage, and followed the course of their mothers before them, and were pleasing to God. But a new order of life has been found out by Mary alone, who promises that she will remain a virgin to God.

blessed in thine old age, O father Joseph, seeing that God hath shown thee to be fit to receive Mary.

: I am an old man, and have children; why do you hand over to me this infant, who is younger than my grandsons?

Joseph was occupied with his work, house-building, in the districts by the sea-shore; for he was a carpenter. And after nine months he came back to his house, and found Mary pregnant.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0805.htm

The History of the death of our father, the holy old man, Joseph the carpenter.

was one hundred and eleven years,

This same man, being well furnished with wisdom and learning, was made a priest in the temple of the Lord. He was, besides. skilful in his trade, which was that of a carpenter; and after the manner of all men, he married a wife. Moreover, he begot for himself sons and daughters, four sons, namely, and two daughters. Now these are their names--Judas, Justus, James, and Simon. The names of the two daughters were Assia and Lydia. At length the wife of righteous Joseph, a woman intent on the divine glory in all her works, departed this life. But Joseph, that righteous man, my father after the flesh, and the spouse of my mother Mary, went away with his sons to his trade, practising the art of a carpenter.

3. Now when righteous Joseph became a widower, my mother Mary, blessed, holy, and pure, was already twelve years old. For her parents offered her in the temple when she was three years of age, and she remained in the temple of the Lord nine years.

http://www.catholicfirst.com/TheFaith/ChurchFathers/Volume08/Apocrypha30.htm

all-holy glorious mother of God and ever-virgin Mary,

according to thy request, thou having left the world, shall go to the heavenly places to thy Son, into the true and everlasting life.

Born at Damascus, about 676; died some time between 754 and 787

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/33044.htm

CHAPTER XIV.

Concerning our Lord's genealogy and concerning the holy Mother of God.

Concerning the holy and much-lauded ever-virgin one, Mary, the Mother of God

The ever-virgin One thus remains even after the birth still virgin, having never at any time up till death consorted with a man.

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Mother of God

Martyr, presbyter and antipope; date of birth unknown; d. about 236.

Elucidations

HIPPOLYTUS ON THE TWELVE APOSTLES

On the usage of the term “Mother of God."

Leo of Rome, called "the Great," seems to have coined the less orthodox expression, relying on Holy Scripture, indeed, in the salutation of Elisabeth (Luke i. 43). This term has been sadly abused for Mariolatry.

Born at Neocaesarea in Pontus (Asia Minor) about 213; died there 270-275.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07015a.htm

FOUR HOMILIES. THE SECOND HOMILY. ON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.

festival of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, the mother of God,

Became Bishop of Alexandria in 300; martyred Nov., 311.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0621.htm

FRAGMENTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF PETER

born according to the flesh of our holy and glorious lady, Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin, and, of a truth, of Mary the Mother of God;

Became Bishop of Alexandria in 300; martyred Nov., 311.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0619.htm

they came to the church of the most blessed mother of God, and Ever-Virgin Mary,

The Divine Liturgy of James, THE HOLY APOSTLE AND BROTHER OF THE LORD

Somewhere in the 3rd and 4th century

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0717.htm

holy God-mother, and ever-virgin Mary;

all-holy, pure, most glorious, blessed Lady, the God-Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary,

Bishop of Alexandria; Confessor and Doctor of the Church; born c. 296; died 2 May, 373

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2816.htm

FOUR DISCOURSES AGAINST THE ARIANS -- DISCOURSE III

Written BETWEEN 356 AND 360.

CHAPTER XXV.

14. Mary, bearer of God[3].

Bishop of Alexandria; Confessor and Doctor of the Church; born c. 296; died 2 May, 373.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2811.htm

VITA ST. ANTONI (THE LIFE OF ST. ANTONY -- WRITTEN BETWEEN 356 AND 362)

36. so also John [15] at the voice of Mary, the God-bearer [16], leaped for gladness.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/08071B.htm

Gospel of Nicodemus, Part I (Acta Pilati) -- First Greek, Second Greek

Middle of the fourth century.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS: PART I.--THE ACTS OF PILATE (FIRST AND SECOND GREEK FORMS)

mother of God

Date of birth unknown; died after 385 or 386

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2907.htm

ON VIRGINITY

CHAPTER XIII (and others).

Mary the mother of God,

Doctor of the Church, born at Arianzus, in Asia Minor, c. 325; died at the same place, 389.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3103.htm

SELECT LETTERS OF SAINT GREGORY NAZIANZEN, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, DIVISION I

TO CLEDONIUS THE PRIEST AGAINST APOLLINARIUS. (EP. CI.)

If anyone does not believe that Holy Mary is the Mother of God, he is severed from the Godhead.

from 374 to 397; born probably 340, at Trier, Arles, or Lyons; died 4 April, 397.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34072.htm

THREE BOOKS OF St. AMBROSE BISHOP OF MILAN TO MARCELLINA HIS SISTER -- CONCERNING VIRGINS, BOOK II

CHAPTER II.

The Council of Ephesus

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3810.htm

A.D. 431

Mother of God."

He died before 450, and probably shortly after 434

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3506.htm

CHAPTER XII.

A fuller account of the Errors of Photinus, Apollinaris and Nestorius.

[35.] Nestorius, whose disease is of an opposite kind, while pretending that he holds two distinct substances in Christ, brings in of a sudden two Persons, and with unheard of wickedness would have two sons of God, two Christs,--one, God, the other, man, one, begotten of his Father, the other, born of his mother. For which reason he maintains that Saint Mary ought to be called, not Theotocos (the mother of God), but Christotocos (the mother of Christ),

CHAPTER XV.

The Union of the Divine with the Human Nature took place in the very

Conception of the Virgin. The appellation "The Mother of God." Holy Mary of her prerogative of divine grace and her special glory.

The mother of God "Theotocos," but not in the sense in which it is imagined by a certain impious heresy which maintains, that she is to be called the Mother of God for no other reason than because she gave birth to that man who afterwards became God,

in her sacred womb was wrought that most sacred mystery

A monk and ascetic writer of Southern Gaul, and the first to introduce the rules of Eastern monasticism into the West, b. probably in Provence about 360; d. about 435

http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF2-11/Npnf2-11-32.htm#P1809_782705

THE LIFE OF CASSIAN AND HISTORY OF HIS WRITINGS, MSS., AND EDITIONS

PROLEGOMENA.

CHAPTER I.

THE LIFE OF CASSIAN.

Thus the whole work was completed between the years 426 and 428; and now Cassian, who was growing old, was desirous of rest, feeling as if his life's work was nearly over. But the repose which he sought was not to be granted to him, for the remaining years of his life were troubled by two controversies, -- the Nestorian, and the Pelagian, -- or, rather, its offshoot, the Semi-Pelagian. Into the history of the former of these there is no need to enter here in detail. It broke out at Constantinople, where Nestorius had become bishop in succession to Sisinnius, in 428. The immediate occasion which gave rise to the controversy was a sermon by Anastasius, the Bishop's chaplain, in which he inveighed against the title Theotocos [Mother of God], as given to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A monk and ascetic writer of Southern Gaul, and the first to introduce the rules of Eastern monasticism into the West, b. probably in Provence about 360; d. about 435

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/35097.htm

THE SEVEN BOOKS OF JOHN CASSIAN ON THE INCARNATION OF THE LORD -- AGAINST NESTORIUS, BOOK VII

CHAPTER XXV.

Mary the mother of God.

CHAPTER XXX.

Mary is Christotocos not Theotocos:

Bishop of Cyrus and theologian, born at Antioch in Syria about 393; died about 457.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2703.htm

DIALOGUES--THE "ERANISTES" OR "POLYMORPHUS" OF THE BLESSED THEODORETUS, BISHOP OF CYRUS, DIALOGUE II: THE UNCONFOUNDED

Son of Mary converses with brothers, but the only begotten has no brothers, for how could the name of only begotten be preserved among brothers?

Holy Virgin as Mother of God because

Bishop of Cyrus and theologian, born at Antioch in Syria about 393; died about 457.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2702.htm

THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THEODORET

BOOK I

CHAPTER III.

Mary the mother of God

Theodoret

Bishop of Cyrus and theologian, born at Antioch in Syria about 393; died about 457.

http://www.ccel.org/fathers/NPNF2-03/Editors/Theodoretus/t2.htm

THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF THE BLESSED THEODORETUS, BISHOP OF CYRUS. BOOK 1 BOOK 1

CHAPTER 1

PART V. -- THEODORET AND CHALCEDON.

Holy Virgin Mary is the Parent of God,

THE COUNCIL OF EPHESUS.

A.D. 431

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3810.htm

disapproves, too, the perverse dogma of Nestorius, and that distinctly, because he was unwilling to call the blessed Virgin Mother of God:

EPISTLE OF CYRIL TO NESTORIUS

This was the sentiment of the holy Fathers; therefore they ventured to call the holy Virgin, the Mother of God

EPISTLE OF CYRIL TO NESTORIUS WITH THE 12 ANATHEMATISMS

we also call her Mother of God

Anathema I.

If anyone will not confess that the Emmanuel is very God, and that therefore the Holy Virgin is the Mother of God (Theotokos), inasmuch as in the flesh she bore the Word of God made flesh [as it is written, "The Word was made flesh"]: let him be anathema.

http://www.ccel.org/fathers/NPNF2-14/4Ephesus/History.htm

disapproves, too, the perverse dogma of Nestorius, and that distinctly, because he was unwilling to call the blessed Virgin Mother of God

http://www.ccel.org/fathers/NPNF2-14/4Ephesus/Theotoko.htm

whether Mary can properly be called the Mother of God; this Nestorius denied and many in ancient and modern times have been found to agree with him.

(b) It only remains to consider whether there is from a theological point of view any objection to the translation, "Mother of God." It is true that some persons have thought that such a rendering implied that the Godhead has its origin in Mary, but this was the very objection which Nestorius and his followers urged against the word Theotocos, and this being the case, it constitutes a strong argument in favour of the accuracy of the rendering. Of course the answer to the objection in each case is the same, it is not of the Godhead that Mary is the Mother, but of the Incarnate Son, who is God.

Born at Damascus, about 676; died some time between 754 and 787

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/33044.htm

CHAPTER XIV.

Concerning our Lord's genealogy and concerning the holy Mother of God.

Concerning the holy and much-lauded ever-virgin one, Mary, the Mother of God

The ever-virgin One thus remains even after the birth still virgin, having never at any time up till death consorted with a man.

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Mary's Assumption

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0832b.htm

FIRST LATIN FORM.

CONCERNING THE PASSING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

she began to ask Him about her own departure, addressing Him as follows:--O most dear Son, I pray Thy holiness, that when my soul goes out of my body, Thou let me know on the third day before; and do Thou, beloved Son, with Thy angels, receive it.

thy soul will be separated from the body, and I shall carry it into heaven, where it shall never at all have tribulation or anguish.

assumption will be after three days. And she answered: Thanks to God.

Then she called Joseph of the city of Arimathaea, and the other disciples of the Lord; and when they, both relations and acquaintances, were assembled, she announced her departure to all standing there

Christ descended with a multitude of angels, and received the soul of His beloved mother.

soul of the blessed virgin Mary was taken up into heaven with psalms, and hymns, and songs of songs. And as the cloud went up the whole earth shook, and in one moment all the inhabitants of Jerusalem openly saw the departure of St. Mary.

apostles with great honour laid the body in the tomb, weeping and singing through exceeding love and sweetness. And suddenly there shone round them a light from heaven, and they fell to the ground, and the holy body was taken up by angels into heaven.

Assumption of Mary

THE ACCOUNT OF ST. JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN(1) OF THE FALLING ASLEEP OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

all-holy glorious mother of God and ever-virgin Mary,

according to thy request, thou having left the world, shall go to the heavenly places to thy Son, into the true and everlasting life.

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John Shepard

email: js16@northforest.org

http://www.northforest.org/ref/TCatholicDoctrine/MaryRef.html

Revised: Sept 17, 2006