Mary: From Virgin to Revolutionary - A New Look at the Supermother

Mary: From Virgin to Revolutionary - A New Look at the Supermother

The depiction of the Virgin Mary has taken on many facets throughout history, ranging from tolerance to idealization to strict norms. In the New Testament, Mary is described as a virgin who is informed by the angel of her conception by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:34). This depiction has significant implications for the understanding of her role in the Roman Catholic Church, which sees Mary's virgin conception as an expression of her holiness. Some orders of nuns even see Mary as the virgin bride of Christ and thus symbolize a monogamous relationship with Jesus.

The reform movement “Maria 2.0”, which was launched by Catholics in Münster in 2019, calls for a reassessment of Mary as a woman with a body and sexuality. While “Maria 1.0” represents the traditional image of the silent and serving Mary, “Maria 2.0” represents the women who strive for change in the church. This shows a profound social change in the understanding of female identity and how Maria is perceived within this framework. The documentary “All About Maria” by Isabelle Brocard and Yves Thomas examines these themes and the ambivalent role of Mary as a female ideal in a patriarchal society.

The first apparitions and their messages

The apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Itapiranga, which took place between May 2nd and 11th, 1994, are of particular importance. These events formed the foundation for the Queen's teaching of the Rosary and Peace. During this time, Maria do Carmo and Edson received messages that were meaningful to pilgrims and the entire world. It is reported that during the first apparition, Maria do Carmo saw her deceased son Quirino and conveyed a message of hope for mothers who have lost their children.

In the second apparition, Jesus appeared and confirmed that Quirino is in heaven, highlighting education in families as an important element. In the third apparition, souls were shown going to hell, illustrating the dangers of occultism and cults. The fourth apparition, however, significantly confronted the serious sin of abortion and called on mothers to repent and confess. Finally, the fifth apparition addressed the challenges of adultery and extramarital cohabitation, with Jesus calling for a return to divorced partners and for the sanctification of marriage.

Art and social issues

The complex figure of Mary is also used by artists to address social issues. Artists such as Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin and Elina Brotherus draw on the imagery of Mary to address gender stereotypes and fertility issues. The well-known singer Beyoncé is also mentioned as an example. With her pregnancy announcement, she questions common gender stereotypes and addresses the concept of chastity. Historian Annick Delfosse describes Mary as an “empty vessel” that can be interpreted individually, which illustrates her complexity and the challenges of her image in modern society.

Overall, it is clear that the various depictions of Mary not only take on a religious but also a cultural dimension. It reflects the need for motherly, protective authorities in an ever-changing world.