Our second Saturday Seminar will focus on Mary, Our Queen Mother.  The Father paved the way for His Son’s coming into this world by making Mary “full of grace,” giving her the full and unmerited benefits of Jesus’ redemption of humanity through His death and resurrection. Mary was the Immaculate One from her conception, without stain of sin, chosen and prepared by the Father to be the mother of the Son of God. Throughout her life, the Holy Spirit would overshadow Mary as her Advocate.   In His final hour, Jesus asked Mary to be the mother of His covenant family, symbolized by the beloved disciple. In handing His mother to the safe-keeping of John, Jesus was asking His covenant family to always accord her the same special honor and reverence that He had for her. Mary has continued her role as mother to Jesus now identified with His covenant family. In the Risen Lord, Mary saw that her life as God’s handmaid made perfect sense in God’s Plan of Salvation. In the Assumption, the Church states that Mary is the Ark of the new and everlasting Covenant in Jesus, free from mortal corruption. Truly, Mary is the greatest disciple from among us.