Saint Mary, Our Patron
B
orn in Jerusalem, Mary was the daughter of Joachim and Anne. She was visited by the archangel Gabriel and told that she would become the Mother of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. She became betrothed to Joseph.
Upon visiting her cousin Elizabeth, who was bearing John the Baptist, Mary was acknowledged by Elizabeth as the Mother of God. At this Mary intoned the Magnificant.
When Emperor Augustus declared a census throughout the Roman Empire, Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, his city of lineage. There Mary gave birth to Jesus and was visited by the three Kings.
Warned to flee, Joseph and Mary went to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod. They remained in Egypt until King Herod died and then returned to Nazareth.
Nothing is known of Mary's life during the next years except for a visit to the Temple of Jerusalem. At that time she and Joseph sought the young Jesus, who was in the Temple with the learned elders.
The first recorded miracle of Jesus was performed at a wedding in Cana, and Mary was instrumental in calling Christ's attention to the need for more wine. Mary was present at the Crucifixion in Jerusalem, and there she was given into John's care. She was also with the disciples in the days before the Pentecost, and it is believed that she was present at the Resurrection and the Ascension.
No scriptural reference concerns Mary's last years on earth. According to tradition, she went to Ephesus or possibly she remained in Jerusalem.
The observations included in the Anglican calendar for Mary are May 31 - The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; July 26 - Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary - July 26; and, August 15 - St. Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Source: Episcopal Church Kalendar, Ashby Company, Erie, PA.)
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