2. The New Testament and the Church Chapter 25 Mary and the Saints

3. Chapter Summary Mary and the Saints This chapter will consider how Mary and the saints serve as models of love and faithfulness and lead us to a deeper love of Christ and his Church. It will explore the Communion of Saints as all the faithful, both living and dead, that ultimately are the Body of Christ.

4. Introduction and “Mary’s Yes” (Handbook, pages 264–266) Mary’s “yes” serves as a model of discipleship for all to respond to God’s call. As a young girl, Mary was visited by an angel and told she was going to give birth to the Son of God. This event is called the Annunciation. In spite of the uncertainty and her fears, Mary trusted in God and declared herself “the Lord’s servant.” Nothing is impossible for God, and through Mary, the Incarnation came to be. © ivan-96/www.istockphoto.com

5. Introduction and “Mary’s Yes” (Handbook, pages 264–266) Activity Recall a time when you had to say yes to do something, such as join a team or group, go to a camp, or befriend someone who needed a friend. Think about how that choice played out. Did things happen that you didn’t expect, for better or worse, when you made the choice? Write a paragraph about the unexpected events that followed your decision. Would you have made the same choice if you had prior knowledge of its outcome? © franckreporter/www.istockphoto.com

6. “Mary, Mother of God” and “Mary, Mother of the Church” (Handbook, pages 266–268) As the Mother of God, Mary supported Jesus throughout his life. She now supports the Church as the mother of all Christians and a model of faithfulness and love. Mary is the mother of the Son of God. She is called Theotokos, or “God-bearer,” to indicate that she is the one who gives birth to God. At his death on the cross, Jesus gave the Church the gift of his mother. Mary is the mother of all Christians. Through Mary, we come to know her son, Jesus Christ. ©CURAphotography/www.shutterstock.com

7. “Mary, Mother of God” and “Mary, Mother of the Church” (Handbook, pages 266–268) Activity Turn to the list of Holy Days of Obligation on page 569 of the Handbook. How many holy days have some connection to Mary? Turn to page 562 in the Handbook, and look at the Mysteries of the Rosary. How are each of these mysteries connected to Mary? © udra11/www.shutterstock.com

8. “The Communion of Saints” and “Our Friends in Heaven” (Handbook, pages 268–270) Discussion Questions Who knows what makes a saint? Can anyone name some saints? © Renata Sedmakova/www.shutterstock.com

9. “The Communion of Saints” and “Our Friends in Heaven” (Handbook, pages 268–270) All believers in Christ, both living and dead, are part of the Communion of Saints. Those who have gone before us can pray for us and bring our needs to God. The Communion of Saints is the Church: a communion of holy people, living and dead. In the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we become the Body of Christ. We become bound to one another and united with God. Saints are our friends in heaven. Just as we ask our friends on earth for help, we can ask the saints for help through their prayers. © Bogdan VASILESCU/www.shutterstock.com

10. “The Saints” (Handbook, pages 270–272) Saints serve as examples of holiness and inspire us in our journey of faith. They are good models for living the Christian life. © jmalov/www.istockphoto.com

11. “The Saints” (Handbook, pages 270–272) When we celebrate the feasts of the saints, we unite with the liturgy of Heaven. Official saints are those whose holiness the Church has formally recognized through a process called canonization. We call those who have not been canonized unofficial saints. Discussion Question How would you define a saint? © junak/www.istockphoto.com