Throughout history there have been numerous expressions of the Divine reflecting both the Masculine and Feminine aspects and for some, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is part of this expression. The Feminine aspect is recognized for its nurturing, healing and compassion; and the eternal presence of the Feminine is called by diverse names in various religions and cultures.

There have been many reported apparitions of Mary, the most widely recognized being Guadalupe, Mexico (1531) where in walking across the hills she greeted Juan Diego by saying 'Am I not here, who am your Mother', and at Lourdes, France (1858) where she identified herself to Bernadette Soubirous by stating 'I am the Immaculate Conception'. Mary belongs to no race, color or creed and in her apparitions reflects the cultures of those she addresses. Her messages are universal and her essence is love and compassion.

There is no written record of Mary's early years and various traditions give differing stories as to her background.

There are traditions which hold that Mary was a wise and gifted child whose parents dedicated her to temple service at the tender age of three so that she could prepare for her future role as the Mother of Jesus, the Christ.

There are other traditions that hold she lived as a simple peasant girl and was raised in a similar manner to other children of her time.

Whatever the tradition, there is an esoteric belief that souls which are called to great service invariably undergo a form of initiation, training and testing that prepares them for the purpose at hand. Mary had the sacred purpose of teaching and nurturing Jesus. As mother, she showered her wisdom, love and compassion into the guidance and education of her son. It is this role of mother that has endeared her to the hearts of pilgrims throughout the centuries and has made her a refuge for those who seek understanding, guidance and love.