At once Virgin and mother, Mary is the symbol and the most Perfect realization of the Church: "the Church indeed. . . by receiving the word of God in Faith beComes herself a mother. By Preaching and Baptism she Brings Forth Sons, who are conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of God, to a new and immortal life. She herself is a virgin, who keeps in its entirety and purity the faith she pledged to her spouse." 170