• Skip to main content

Taylor Marshall

stay salty my friends

  • ABOUT
  • VIDEOS
  • BOOKS
  • SUPPORT
  • STORE
  • NSTI.COM

St Pius X: Mary is the Neck, Christ is the Head


Do you remember that scene in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding in which the Greek mothers teach the Greek girl that the Greek father is the “head” of household, but that the mother is the “neck”?

They may have been Greeks, but they were reading from a Roman script – because a similar thing was said by Pope Saint Pius X in his encyclical Ad diem illum of 1904 (and also by Saint Bernard before him). According to Saint Pius X, the Blessed Virgin Mary is the “neck” that connects Christ the Head to the Church as His Body.

But Mary as St. Bernard fittingly remarks is the ‘channel’ or, even, the neck, through which the body is joined to the head, and likewise through which the head exerts its power and strength on the body. For she is the neck of our Head, by which all spiritual gifts are communicated to His Mystical Body.

I have often heard our Immaculate Mother referred to as the “neck” of the Church, but I had no idea that the concept appeared in a papal/magisterial document.

Any comments?

Please also read:

  • The Virgin Mary inspires U2’s Bono
  • The Virgin Mary’s Womb as Ezekiel’s Closed Gate of the Messiah
  • Demons unable to curse Blessed Virgin Mary
  • St Augustine on Mary and our Becoming “His Mother”
  • If Mary Had No Sin, Is Christ Her Savior?

Dive Deeper

Church History

Theology

Latin Mass

Catholic News

Catholic Life

Culture

GET CONFIDENT IN YOUR FAITH

Explore the fascinating world of Catholic teachings with Dr. Marshall. Together you’ll unpack the brilliant answers the Church gives to tough questions about the Faith. The best part: you go at your own pace. Start this exciting journey today.

JOIN NOW

Enjoying my videos? Sign up here so you never miss the new one.

  • ABOUT
  • VIDEOS
  • BOOKS
  • NEW SAINT THOMAS INSTITUTE
© 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | PRIVACY POLICY

  • ABOUT
  • VIDEOS
  • BOOKS
  • SUPPORT
  • STORE
  • NSTI.COM