Catholic Church

===Virgin Mary===
{{Catholic mariology sidebar}}
{{Main|Veneration of Mary in the Catholic Church|Mariology of the Catholic Church|Mariology of the saints|Mariology of the popes}}
[[File:Murillo-inmaculada del coro-sevilla-mba.JPG|alt=|thumb|The [[Veneration of Mary in the Catholic Church|Blessed Virgin Mary]] is highly regarded in the Catholic Church, proclaiming her as [[Theotokos|Mother of God]], [[Immaculate Conception|free from original sin]] and an [[intercessor]].]]
[[Catholic Mariology]] deals with the [[Dogma in the Catholic Church|dogmas]] and teachings concerning the life of [[Mary, mother of Jesus]], as well as the veneration of Mary by the faithful. Mary is held in special regard, declared the [[Theotokos|Mother of God]] ({{Lang-el|Θεοτόκος|links=yes|lit=God-bearer|translit=Theotokos}}), and believed as dogma to have remained a [[Perpetual virginity of Mary|virgin throughout her life]].<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20120101_world-day-peace_en.html|title=Pope Benedict XVI. 1 January 2012 – Feast of Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary|publisher=Vatican.va|date=1 January 2012|access-date=17 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702070352/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20120101_world-day-peace_en.html|archive-date=2 July 2012}}</ref> Further teachings include the doctrines of the [[Immaculate Conception]] (her own conception without the stain of original sin) and the [[Assumption of Mary]] (that her body was assumed directly into heaven at the end of her life). Both of these doctrines were defined as infallible dogma, by [[Pope Pius IX]] in 1854 and [[Pope Pius XII]] in 1950 respectively,<ref name="Barry, p. 106">Barry, p. 106</ref> but only after consulting with the Catholic bishops throughout the world to ascertain that this is a Catholic belief.<ref>Schaff, Philip (2009). ''The Creeds of Christendom''. {{ISBN|1-115-46834-0}}, p. 211.</ref> In the Eastern Catholic churches, however, they continue to celebrate the feast of the Assumption under the name of the [[Dormition of the Mother of God]] on the same date.<ref>{{cite web |title=People, Look East: The Dormition of Mary |url=https://cnewa.org/people-look-east-the-assumption-of-mary/ |website=CNEWA |language=en-us |date=15 August 2021 |access-date=22 August 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821231251/https://cnewa.org/people-look-east-the-assumption-of-mary/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The teaching that Mary died before being assumed significantly precedes the idea that she did not. St John Damascene wrote that "St Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem, at the Council of Chalcedon (451), made known to the Emperor Marcian and Pulcheria, who wished to possess the body of the Mother of God, that Mary died in the presence of all the Apostles, but that her tomb, when opened, upon the request of St Thomas, was found empty; wherefrom the Apostles concluded that the body was taken up to Heaven."<ref>{{cite web |title=What do we mean by "the sleep of Mary" or "the dormition of Mary"? |url=https://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-do-we-mean-by-the-sleep-of-mary-or-the-dormition-of-mary/ |website=Catholic Straight Answers |language=en |date=21 May 2013 |access-date=22 August 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821233423/https://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-do-we-mean-by-the-sleep-of-mary-or-the-dormition-of-mary/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Marian devotions|Devotions to Mary]] are part of Catholic piety but are distinct from the worship of God.<ref>Schreck, pp. 199–200</ref> Practices include prayers and [[Marian art in the Catholic Church|Marian art]], [[Catholic Marian music|music]], and [[Catholic Marian church buildings|architecture]]. Several [[Marian feast days|liturgical Marian feasts]] are celebrated throughout the [[liturgical year|Church Year]] and she is honoured with [[titles of Mary|many titles]] such as [[Queen of Heaven]]. [[Pope Paul VI]] called her [[Mother of the Church]] because, by giving birth to Christ, she is considered to be the spiritual mother to each member of the [[Body of Christ]].<ref name="Barry, p. 106"/> Because of her influential role in the life of Jesus, prayers and devotions such as the [[Hail Mary]], the [[Rosary]], the [[Salve Regina]] and the [[Memorare]] are common Catholic practices.<ref>Barry, pp. 122–123</ref> [[Christian pilgrimage|Pilgrimage]] to the sites of several [[Marian apparitions]] affirmed by the church, such as [[Our Lady of Lourdes|Lourdes]], [[Our Lady of Fátima|Fátima]], and [[Our Lady of Guadalupe|Guadalupe]],<ref>Schreck, p. 368</ref><!--pilgrimages to these sites--> are also popular Catholic devotions.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baedeker|first=Rob|title=World's most-visited religious destinations|work=USA Today|date=21 December 2007|url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-12-21-most-visited-religious-spots-forbes_N.htm|access-date=3 March 2008|archive-date=8 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308234445/http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-12-21-most-visited-religious-spots-forbes_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>