Since the earliest reflections of the Church on the mystery of salvation, Our Lady has been celebrated as the "New Eve". Adam called his wife Eve because she was mother of all those who live. Mary is the mother of all those who live anew, created again to a new life in Christ. Under the tree in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve turned away from God, and away from life. At the Annunication Mary turned to God, and life. On the tree of the Cross, Jesus, the new Adam, gave Mary to us as our Mother, for it was through her acceptance of the Word of God, the Word which gives life, that the children of Adam and Even began their return to God.

Mother of all those living a new life in Christ, Mary possessed, from the moment of her conception, something of the fullness of life. Jesus was sinless because He was the Son of God. Mary was kept sinless by God in order to be the Servant of life. Life and sinlessness come together intimately in Jesus and Mary.