Mary, the First Disciple

The Immaculate Conception"In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, 'Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.'" (Luke 1:26-28)

“It is not to be questioned that Mary occupies a place of peculiar honor and dignity in Scripture. To be chosen as the human mother of the Messiah, the incarnate Word, is indeed to be the recipient of the high favor or grace of God (Lk. 1:28). There is thus every reason for the Magnificat as Mary’s song of praise for the exaltation of His humble servant, and for the greeting of Elizabeth in v. 42: “And why is this granted me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? We must also respect her humble but obedient faith manifested in response to the divine decision and communication.”
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. V III K-P., p. 270

Meditation on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI, 08/16/06

Mary, Mother of God, General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI, 01/02/08