Mary, the mother of Jesus

In Christianity according to the New Testament, Mary (Judæo-Aramaic מרים Maryām "Bitter"; Septuagint Greek Μαριαμ, Mariam, Μαρια, Maria; Arabic: Maryem, مريم) was the mother of Jesus of Nazareth and at the time of his conception was the betrothed wife of Joseph, awaiting the customary "Home-Taking" that would permit them to start living together and to consummate their marriage (cf. Matt 1:18, 20). Most Christians and Muslims understand the Gospel account in this respect to mean that Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus through a miracle of God.

Further reading

• Orestes Brownson, Saint Worship and the Worship of Mary, Sophia Institute Press, 2003, ISBN 1928832881
• Chantal Epie, The Scriptural Roots of Catholic Teaching, Sophia Institute Press, 2002, ISBN 1928832539
• William A. Jurgens, The Faith of the Early Fathers
• Jaroslav Pelikan, Mary Through the Centuries: Her Place in the History of Culture, Yale University Press, 1998, hardcover, 240 pages ISBN 0300069510; trade paperback, 1998, 240 pages, ISBN 0300076614