Mary, Woman of the New Covenant

This title of Mary was adopted by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ Sisters in 1971, at their 13th General Assembly. It aims to awaken a Marian dimension to their spirituality, which fosters personal consecration to God and full adherence to Jesus Christ. Liturgically, it is celebrated on September 15th.

Mary carries within her the One who will establish the New and Eternal Covenant on the cross. She is chosen by God and therefore occupies a special place in the history of salvation. She not only welcomes the Son of God but also accompanies Him to Calvary and is a witness to the resurrection. She lives in her life this dimension of being fully involved in something new, accomplished by the One who was conceived in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant is central to the people's understanding of their identity as "God's People," the chosen people to whom the Lord demanded fidelity. It was a "sign" and therefore occupied a central place and was carried whenever the people moved. Inside the Ark were the tablets of the Law, of the Covenant: "I will establish my dwelling place among you… I will walk among you, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people" (Leviticus 26:11-12).

Mary is told, right at the moment of her calling: “The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). And for this reason she trusted and remained faithful to the end. She gives birth in her flesh to the Son of God, and in her flesh she will live the mystery of salvation, with the shedding of Jesus' Blood, in her total surrender out of love and for the reconciliation of humanity. It is here (first at the Wedding at Cana) that the Son addresses his mother as “Woman,” so that her gaze may now reach the depth and greatness of the newness that her Son came to bring to earth: “Woman, behold your son” (John 19:26). It is the maternal participation in the mystery of salvation.

In short, all of Mary's greatness points to a greater reality: Jesus Christ. Mary is not the source of the New Covenant; Christ is. Mary is the servant who welcomes it. She is not the center of salvation; the center is Christ. But precisely because she was entirely of God and entirely available to his Word, she occupies a unique place in the mystery of redemption.

Therefore, contemplating Mary is learning to say with her: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

The Woman of the New Covenant teaches the Church that true greatness lies not in taking God's place, but in welcoming God, keeping His Word, and leading all to Christ.

“"Do whatever he tells you."” This remains Mary's essential message for the Church of all times.