Women in the Catholic Church In AD 431, the Council of Ephesus granted Mary the title of Mother of God. In 553, the Council of Constantinople, proclaimed that she was perpetually a virgin. In 863 AD, the pope pronounced the Feast of Our Lady to be equal to the feasts of Easter and Christmas. By the 12th Century, the Hail Mary prayer had become popular, which in turn led to the widespread use of the rosary. According to historian Geoffrey Blainey, Mary had become the "favoured intermediary through whom the ear of God could be reached". She had become an important subject for theologians and
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (Fredericksburg, Virginia) St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (Fredericksburg, Virginia) St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia and is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Its grade school is Holy Cross Academy. The original St. Mary on Princess Ann Street was established in 1858 as the Fredericksburg Mission, served by priests from the original cathedral in Richmond. During the American Civil War, the building was used as a hospital and storehouse. In 1871, the church received its first resident pastor. This original church was used until 1970, then sold to