Mary as Miriam

Mary, the mother of Jesus, grew up with the Hebrew name of Miriam. She lived in a Palestinian town where the women and girls took care of the home and family, while the boys learned a trade from their fathers. Each day the women and girls would grind wheat or barley to make bread. They carried jugs of water into the home from outside springs or wells.

Today, it is hard to understand Mary being chosen to be the mother of God’s own Son when she was only about fourteen years old! The circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy and the fact that her baby was the Son of God are amazing, but we are still struck by Mary’s young age.

Mary, our greatest saint, accepted the baby she was given by the Holy Spirit as God’s plan for her. By saying yes to God, Mary helped fulfill God’s plan of salvation for us. Mary’s great faith in God, even when she did not fully understand, is a model for us to imitate.


Family Activity

	Talk about what Mary might have looked like. Point out that different people see Mary in many different ways.

	•		Consider making images of Mary, individually or together. Consider making either a sculpture or a painting.
	•		Have on hand modeling clay, paints, and art paper.
	•		Display the completed images in a place where everyone can see them.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturgy.