An Introduction to Catholic Doctrine on the Blessed Virgin Mary

Course Summary

This course will provide a general understanding of what the Catholic Church teaches about the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will emphasize the four Marian dogmas and discern how these and other doctrines pertain to the life of each Christian. 

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's.

General Course Objectives

• Explain Mary’s title, Mother of God.
• Give reasons for the Church’s teaching on Mary’s perpetual virginity.
• Articulate the significance of Mary’s immaculate nature in relation to the humanity of Jesus.
• Relate how Mary’s Assumption points to our call to heavenly glory.
• Gain a deeper understanding of the Church’s Marian doctrine and thus be prompted to invoke Mary’s intercession as our mother in the order of grace.

Course Materials

• No books required. All readings are online.

Course Structure and Highlights

• Week 1: Mary, Mother of God and our Mother
  • Explain Mary’s title, Mother of God.
  • Describe why this doctrine elucidates a correct understanding of who Jesus is.
  • Give an explanation of how Mary is our spiritual Mother.
• Week 2: Mary’s Perpetual Virginity
  • Give reasons for belief in Mary’s perpetual virginity.
  • Articulate what this doctrine tells us about Jesus as the Son of God and of Mary as His mother.
• Week 3: Mary’s Immaculate Conception
  • Explain the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
  • Articulate the importance of Mary’s Immaculate Conception to her role as the mother of Jesus.
• Week 4: The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
  • Relate why we believe in Mary’s Assumption into heaven.
  • Make the connection between Mary’s bodily Assumption and our call to heavenly glory.
• Week 5: The Intercession of Mary

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