Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo 
Madonna and Child 

"Mary's function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin's salutary influence on men originates not in any inner necessity but in the disposition of God. It flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it and draws all its power from it. It does not hinder in any way the immediate union of the faithful with Christ but on the contrary fosters it." ~~Lumen gentium, Vatican Council II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 21 November 1964.