Catholics call Mary the “Ark of the New Covenant” Here are some scriptural references from both the Old and New Testament that help you to see why we give Mary this title. Notice how events in the Old Testament foreshadows (prefigures) events in the New Testament.

Think about this – in the Old Testament it mentions the three items that were placed in the Ark:

1. The 10 Commandments ~ which represents the word;
2 The manna that fell from Heaven, which represents the bread; and
3. The rod of Aaron (who represented the high priest)

In the New Testament, Mary carried in her womb the following three:

1. Jesus, who is the Word of God in flesh.
2. Jesus – the true bread from Heaven
3. Jesus – the true High Priest

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant, overshadowed by the Spirit of God, was the instrument through which God came to dwell among men; in the New Testament, Mary, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, is the instrument through which God came to dwell among men. She is the Ark of the New Covenant.(Ex 25:11-21) made to hold the living Word of God: a holy tabernacle made not of the purest gold, but of the purest flesh.