Calvary: Mary at the foot of the cross

Dictionary Entry: Calvary

Calvary is the pinnacle of Mary’s life as the New Eve and Co-Redemptress. John 19:25-27 states that “Mary, his mother, and his sister of his mother… were standing near the cross of Jesus.” Mary was present until the very end. For a complete article: Calvary and Mary.

Stabat Mater

The Stabat Mater (meaning “The Mother stood”) describes Mary at the foot of the cross standing, not prostrated. This posture is significant; Mary is not a passive victim but an active participant in her Son’s redemptive sacrifice. Her suffering is com-passion, suffering with Christ, not merely beside Him.

John’s Commitment to Mary

The words of Jesus on the cross, “Woman, behold your son… Behold your mother,” are interpreted as establishing a new spiritual motherhood. Mary receives John as her son, and John receives Mary as his mother. Tradition has seen in this gesture Mary’s surrender to the entire Church as its Universal Mother.

Deepen your studies: Explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and Mariology Postgraduate Studies.

Magisterial Teachings

There stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother’s sister… Mary of Clopas… and Mary Magdalene.

Translation: She stood, by the cross of her Son, his mother and sister of his mother… Mary of Clopas… and Mary Magdalene.

“In Passione autem Filii sui particeps fuit Maria Mater, et cum sacrificio eius se ex corde asociavit.” (Concilium Vaticanum II, Const. Dogm. Lumen Gentium n. 58)

Translation: In the Passion of her Son, Mary the Mother participated and united herself with his sacrifice from the depths of her heart.