ST.

JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC INTER-DIOCESAN MAJOR SEMINARY

INSTITUTE OF THEOLOGY
FINAL EXAM (2024)
MARIOLOGY (ST 09)
TO. REV. FR. JULIO OO, MA
BY. BRO. PETER WIN KHIN DATE…23rd January 2024

(Comprehensive short essay to these questions)

I. Mother of God (Mater Dei)
1. How did this doctrine come about in later centuries and why?
The doctrine of Mary, Mother of God, or Theotokos, emerged in early Christianity to
affirm Jesus Christ’s divinity and humanity. The term ‘Theotokos’ comes from the Greek
words ‘Theos’ (God) and ‘tokos’ (bearer), referring to Mary as the ‘God-bearer’ or ‘Mother
of God.’ The doctrine was formally defined at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. Following
in 428, Nestorius’ teachings that the term should not be used to describe Mary, the mother of
Christ. The council argued theological controversies over Christ’s nature, ultimately
declaring Mary worthy of the title to highlight the unity of divinity and humanity. Fathers like
Athanasius, Cyril, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Athanasius, and Cyril defended various
Christian doctrines.
2. What was their ground of argument in opposing to this doctrine and why the
Church still went ahead and proclaimed it a dogma?
Their ground of argument in opposing this doctrine was that Mary is the mother of
only the humanity of Christ, not the divinity of Christ. According to Nestorius, the son Mary
bore is not the Divine Word but the human Jesus, to whom the Divine Word united Himself
through close bonds. Therefore, in the year 431, a Council of the Church was held at Ephesus
in order to give the faithful some guidance about the position of the Virgin Mary. Everyone
knew that she was the mother of Jesus. Everyone also knew that Jesus was truly God. Yet
some said that Mary could not rightly be called the Mother of God (Theotokos). She should
be called only the Mother of Christ, for Christ could only have received His human nature
from His mother. So, the Church defined the doctrine that Mary is truly the Mother of God.
Every mother is the mother of a person. So, Mary was declared to be the mother of this
person, who is truly God. Thus, she is truly the mother of God.

II. Virginity of the Blessed Mary

1. Why is this doctrine important in our faith?
The doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary is a significant belief in the Catholic
and Orthodox Christian faiths. It emphasizes Mary’s uniqueness and sinlessness, as she is
‘full of grace’ and able to choose what God wills. The doctrine also highlights the miraculous
nature of Christ’s birth, as it was conceived by the Holy Spirit and not a normal human
conception. It also affirms the divinity of Christ, as it highlights the role of Mary in His life.
The doctrine is also a significant part of Christian tradition and history, connecting modern
Christians to the historical and theological roots of their faith. Celebrating the feast of
perpetual virginity signifies the miraculous moment of Jesus’ birth, where God became man
and revealed His love and mercy for human salvation.
2. Explain the virginity “in partu” & “post partum”.
The virginity “in partu” means Mary’s virginity, in or during the very act of giving
birth, when Jesus was thought to have passed through her closed womb without breaking the
hymen; in other words, it was a physically miraculous birth rather than a natural one.
The virginity “post partum” means that after giving birth to Christ, the Blessed Mary
remained a virgin throughout her entire life without having any sexual relationship with man.

III. Assumption
1. What is the Church’s ultimate purpose of proclaiming it a dogma?
The Church’s ultimate goal in making it a dogma is to assert that Mary was taken into
heaven by divine authority, just as Christ was taken into heaven by his own power, because
of her perfect holiness, perpetual virginity, and divine motherhood. It is revealed by God that
the immaculate Mother of God, Mary, ever virgin, when the course of her earthly life was
finished, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven. Mary’s assumption into
heaven is a foreshadowing and model of what God has in store for the entire church. On the
feast of the Assumption, we not only look back with joy at what God did for Mary at the end
of her earthly life, but we also look forward in hope to what He shall do for all of us at the
end of time. Like Mary in her assumption, we shall be raised up, body and soul, to be with
our risen Lord and share in His glorious victory, and with Mary and all the saints, we shall
enjoy the vision of God and the wonders of His kingdom.
2. What are the most controversial issues related to this dogma and why?
The Assumption of Mary is a Catholic belief that Mary was assumed into heaven after her
earthly life. However, it faces controversy due to its lack of biblical support, its historical
basis, theological implications, ecumenical implications, and cultural variations. The belief is
not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, leading to debates among Christians and Protestants.
The doctrine also raises questions about the relationship between Mary and Jesus, the role of
Mary in the Church, and the nature of the human body. And with regard to the death of Mary,
the Church keeps silent and cannot give specific response to this controversy.

IV. Immaculate Conception

1. Why the Dominicans till 1847 were so skeptical on this teaching?
The Dominicans, until 1847, were so skeptical of this teaching because of their
different understandings of original sin, grace, and redemption. The Dominicans accepted the
idea of St. Thomas Aquinas that Mary was sanctified in the womb but not before animation,
since in this case she would not have to be redeemed by Christ. But the Church, taking the
idea of Duns Scotus, teaches that Mary having been preserved free from original sin is a
greater grace than being set free from sin; in other words, Mary was preserved free from the
stain of original sin from the moment of her conception. Concerning conception, we may not
say exactly when the embryo takes place in the mother's womb. That’s why the Church
taught this perception in this dogma by saying that at the moment of her conception, but not
her animation, Moreover, the Dominicans were not so sure whether Mary would have needed
Christ’s redemption or not due to her preservation from original sin. According to
Augustine’s teaching, everyone is infected with original sin from Adam; only Christ is
exempt. They understood that if Mary was preserved from original sin, she probably would
not need to be redeemed by Christ.
2. Protestants (particularly Reformers): although they were rather in
agreement with the Catholic Church on “Mother of God” and “Virginity of
the Blessed Mary”, they disagree with other Marian doctrines, such as
“Immaculate Conception” and “Assumption”. Why?
Protestants, particularly Reformers, disagree with the Catholic Church on Mary’s role
in salvation history, rejecting Marian doctrines like the Immaculate Conception and
Assumption. They believe these doctrines are based on tradition rather than the Bible, and
that salvation is achieved through faith alone in Jesus Christ. They also believe these
doctrines developed over time and are not consistent with early Church beliefs, as they
detract from the centrality of Christ. For Protestants, Sola Scriptura is the ultimate truth.
Therefore, Protestants reject these doctrines.

V. Blessed Mother and the Church

1. Why the Church is being compared with our Blessed Mother Mary?
The Church is being compared with our Blessed Mother Mary because as Mary is the
Mediator between God and humans in salvation history, the Church is now the only Mediator
between God and humans in its salvific works; as Mary is one through whom the Economy of
grace is given to the people, the Church is one through which the grace of God is given to all
the people; as Mary is given the prerogative of intercession for the people, the Church is
given mandate by Christ to intercede for its people; as Mary is the Mother of Christ through
the Word of God, the Church is the Mother of all Christ’s people; as Mary is holy, the Church
is holy; as Mary is the first apostle of Christ, the Church is apostolic; and as Mary is perfect
of all virtues, the Church is in all its virtues as well.
3. How would you explain a non-Catholic regarding the Catholic belief in the
Blessed Virgin Mary?
Biological Motherhood and Mothering Care, I would to discuss the role of biological
mothers in providing mothering care to their children. She emphasizes that everyone,
including abundant or motherless children, has experienced mothering love or care.
Spiritual and Universal Motherhood, I would share the belief that Mary, the mother of
Jesus Christ, holds a unique place in the history of salvation. She is seen as the ideal disciple
who surrendered herself completely to God's will.
Mary’s Relationship with Jesus, I, Catholics believe Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus
Christ gives her a special relationship with her son. She is positioned to intercede for us and
bring our prayers to Jesus. The Immaculate Conception, she was conceived without the stain
of original sin and remained sinless throughout her life.
Assumption of Mary, I, Catholics believe that Mary was taken up, body and soul, into
heaven at the end of her earthly life. This belief is rooted in the understanding that Mary had
a unique role in salvation history.

VI. Marian Apparition

1. Is it a matter of faith? Is the refusal to accept it or failure to believe in the
apparition sinful in Catholic understanding?
Marian apparitions is not a matter of faith. Catholics are obligated in faith to accept all
general or public revelation, but they are not guilty of sin if they decline to believe in
particular private revelations, even if those private revelations really occurred. If you find the
evidence for a particular apparition unconvincing, you’re free to disbelieve in it. The
Church’s approval of apparitions or private revelations is not a “deposit of faith,” but an
official confirmation of sufficient evidence for cautious acceptance. The Church’s approval
does not require all faithful to believe in these matters, but it is a matter of authoritative
opinion. Belief in or rejection of an apparition or private revelation is left to the individual
Catholic’s conscience. The personality of the recipient plays an officially approved part in
private revelations, even in mystical experiences. Only one of the Marian apparitions of the
19th and 20th centuries has been critically examined, with the others relying on popular
accounts.
2. What is the primary lesson you have achieved from this course and why?
By learning the subject of Mariology, I have learned so many things and gained
knowledge that I did not have in the past, such as the fundamental principles of Mariology,
Mother of God (Mater Dei), Virginity of the Blessed Mary, Assumption, Immaculate
Conception, Blessed Mother and the Church, and the discussion of the saints in terms of their
relation to Mary and faith. I come to know and grow in understanding and wealth about Our
Lady of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Despite Mary’s fears, she trusted God’s word and guidance
for her life. In the middle of Mary’s trials, she continued to praise God. Mary’s suffering
brought her closer to God. Mary trusted God in the unknown. Mary surrendered to God’s
will.