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What does the Immaculate Heart of Mary symbolize in Roman Catholic devotion?
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Mary
Madonna and Child, oil and tempera on panel by Antonello da Messina, 1475; in the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
In Roman Catholic devotion, the Immaculate Heart of Mary serves as a symbol of her interior life, characterized by her deep love for God, her fiery passion, and her unwavering faithfulness.12
The symbolism is rooted in the Gospel According to Luke, which describes Mary treasuring observations about Jesus in her heart. Furthermore, the heart is depicted as being wounded by the sorrows associated with Christ’s death and human sin.2
This devotion is visually represented through specific iconography, which typically features a flaming heart encircled by a crown of roses and pierced by a sword. While the Sacred Heart of Jesus symbolizes his love for humanity, the Immaculate Heart of Mary is specifically understood to represent her love for God.12