Blessed Virgin Mary Coloring Page
This Blessed Virgin Mary coloring page shows Mary holding the baby Jesus, with a crown of twelve stars over her head, a crescent moon at her feet and white lilies and roses beside her. The PDF is free to print. Mary of Nazareth is the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of God.
The story of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A long time ago, in a little town called Nazareth, there lived a young Jewish girl named Mary. She loved God with all her heart. She was promised in marriage to a good carpenter named Joseph.
One day the angel Gabriel came to Mary and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" He told her that God had chosen her to be the mother of his Son, and that she should name the baby Jesus. Mary was surprised, but she trusted God. She said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." That was Mary's big "yes" to God.
Mary hurried to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and she sang a song of praise to God that we still pray today. Then, in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to baby Jesus and laid him in a manger. She took care of him, taught him, and watched him grow. When Jesus grew up, Mary followed him. She was there at the wedding at Cana, and she stood by his cross. After Jesus rose and went back to heaven, she prayed with the apostles.
At the end of her life, God took Mary, body and soul, into heaven. Jesus gave her to us as our mother too. That is why we call her the Blessed Virgin Mary, and why we ask her to pray for us.
What to color
- Mary's mantle: blue, the color most often used for Mary.
- Her dress: white or red.
- Baby Jesus: white clothes, with a gold halo.
- The twelve stars: gold or yellow, from the woman in the Book of Revelation.
- The crescent moon: yellow or silver.
- The lily: white, for Mary's pure heart.
- The roses: red or pink. A rosary is like a crown of roses for Mary.
A prayer to pray together
The first part of the Hail Mary uses the very words of the angel Gabriel and of Elizabeth from the Gospel of Luke:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or in May, the month of Mary.
- Make a "May crown" of paper or real flowers for a statue of Mary at home or school.
- Learn the Angelus, the prayer that tells the story of Gabriel's visit.
- Read Luke 1:26–38 from a children's Bible and act it out.
- Talk about it: Mary said "yes" to God. What is one way you can say "yes" to God this week?
Read the full story: The Blessed Virgin Mary in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for the Blessed Virgin Mary?
Artists usually give Mary a blue mantle over a white or red dress. Blue became her color in church art centuries ago. Make the stars and halo gold, the lilies white and the roses red or pink.
Why does Mary have twelve stars around her head?
The Book of Revelation tells of "a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Revelation 12:1). Christians have long seen Mary in this woman.
When is Mary's feast day?
Mary has many feasts. The biggest in the Church's calendar is January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Others include the Annunciation (March 25), the Assumption (August 15) and the Immaculate Conception (December 8).
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.