Top Ten Reasons to be Catholic, Part 2

3. The Blessed Virgin Mary: As the mother of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary has a central role in the life of the Catholic Church. The Catholic veneration of the Blessed Virgin has grown over time both in importance and manifestation. Popes have encouraged this veneration but from time to time have also taken steps to reform it.

Catholic veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based on Holy Scripture: In the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a woman. The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God through Mary thus signifies her honor as Mother of God. From the Council of Ephesus in 431, which dogmatized this belief, to Vatican II and Pope John Paul II's Redemptoris Mater encyclical the Virgin Mary has come to be seen, not only as the Mother of God but also as the Mother of the Church.