Middle Ages In Western Europe Virgin Mary Worship Analysis

In Western Europe, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary was popular extremely in the high Middle Ages, many scholars paid much attention to this historical phenomenon. But most exploration was made by feminists.From the era of church fathers to the high Middle Ages, Mariology and Mariolatry developed to climax twice. But they were deferent in forms and meanings distinctly. In the early Christian era, devotion to Mary emerged earlier than church endowed her with"Theotokos". Theologians focused on her virginity and obedience and treated her as an example for women. In the high Middle Ages, Assumption, Co-Redemptress, Mother of Life, Mediatress, Bride of Christ were mainly discussed. Mary became a very important role in Catholic theology. People devoted her so feverishly as to overlook Christ. This indicated that people believed to be saved by devotion to Mary.Women and Mary were explored impossibly separately. Though status and rights of women and Mary depended on men in patriarchy society, ideas of men and freedom of women were changing with progression of civilization. In the high Middle Ages, they all improved somehow and these slight changes promoted devotion to Mary. On the contrary, Mary inspired women too. Women and Mary all benefited from the Renaissance of the Twelfth Century, but their improvements were parts of this Renaissance. In this era, Western civilization had great advancement in all fields. In spiritual field, people became more self-confident and more optimistic. This spirit was harmonious with Mariology and Mariolatry, and they two effected each other.As a religious idea, devotion to Mary had closely relations with other social ideas and realities. It was shaped by the whole society and it was a shaper at the same time. Mary was an most important feminine character in Christian church, her represented a gentle culturing power. Devotion to her could help to form a more equal, just, and prosperous society.