Gallery of images of Mary in priestly vestments

Mary possessed a priestly status equivalent to that enjoyed by bishops and ministerial priests. This conviction has not only been expressed in writing, but in Church art.

At the moment I can present images in two galleries: Mary wearing a bishop’s pallium (6th to14th centuries) This is highly significant, for only bishops were allowed to wear the ecclesiastical pallium. And they wore it only when exercising their distinctly priestly ministry at the Eucharist or during solemn liturgies. The images are from: San Vincenzo in Rome, 6th century Parenzo, Croatia, 6th century San Venanzio in Rome, 7th century Santa-Maria-in-Porto, Ravenna, 6th or 7th century. Archbishop’s Chapel, Ravenna, 11th century the Basilica at Torcello, 12th century Serbo Campagnano, Italy, 13th century Santa Maria Antica, Rome, 14th century Mary wearing a bishop’s or priest’s liturgical vestments (12th – 20th centuries) The images are from: Gengenbach, Germany, 12th century Russia (?), 12th century Barcelona, Spain, 13th century Amiens, France, 15th century France (?), 17th century (?)

Go to Gallery of Images, no 1.

Overview of documents in this section

Tradition Mary – why a priest? Theologians and writers Picture gallery Mary and Holy Orders Mary as sacrificial priest Mary, the model of priests

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