Diocese of San Bernardino · Office of Vocations
SBVOC logoSBVOCDiocese of San Bernardino VocationsEspañolStart a conversation
A Bible Study · Lectio: Mary

MaryA Bible study for a deeper understanding of Mary

Four Saturday mornings with the Scriptures, the early Church Fathers and Dr. Brant Pitre’s Lectio: Mary, led by Deacon Mike Bellinder.

  • Nov 14 – Dec 5, 2026
  • Saturdays at 9 AM
  • Grand Terrace
  • $40 · materials provided
Reserve my seat · $40 Watch the trailer on Formed

Begins Saturday, November 14

Scroll
Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.Luke 1:45
Why Mary?

Why have so many loved her for so long?

Every Hail Mary we pray is woven from Scripture. This study asks where it all comes from.

In the 8-part Lectio: Mary series, Catholic Scripture scholar Dr. Brant Pitre traces Mary through the Old and New Testaments, the life of Christ and the early Church Fathers. Each Saturday, Deacon Mike Bellinder leads us through the teaching and our conversation together.

Come with questions. Bring a friend or your spouse. Leave knowing the Mother of the Lord a little better, and loving her Son more.

A taste of the study

Hidden in the Old. Revealed in the New.

The Church Fathers read Mary in the stories of Israel. Flip a card to see how the promise is fulfilled.

Tap any card to turn it over.

The schedule

Four Saturdays. Eight sessions.

Every Saturday at 9 AM, November 14 through December 5, at 12716 Oriole Ave., Grand Terrace.

Week 1 · Sat14November
Week 2 · Sat21November
Week 3 · Sat28November
Week 4 · Sat5December
  1. 01The New Eve37 min

    Genesis begins with Adam and Eve and the sin that breaks our friendship with God. God does not abandon his people. Jesus is the promised “seed” of Genesis 3:15, the New Adam, and his mother is the New Eve.

  2. 02The New Ark36 min

    In the Exodus, God’s presence dwelt in the Ark of the Covenant. In the New Exodus, when Jesus is conceived in her womb, Mary becomes the New Ark of the New Covenant.

  3. 03Mother of the Messiah35 min

    Isaiah prophesies the coming Messiah and the Messiah’s mother. Because Jesus truly is the Anointed One who saves his people from their sins, Mary is truly the Mother of the Messiah.

  4. 04The Queen Mother35 min

    In the line of David, the queen was not the king’s wife but his mother, seated at his right hand. Jesus fulfills the Davidic line, and his mother reigns as Queen Mother.

  5. 05The Perpetual Virgin39 min

    Who are the “brothers and sisters” of the Lord? A closer look at the language Jesus spoke, and at other passages of Scripture, sheds light on Mary’s perpetual virginity.

  6. 06Mother of Sorrows36 min

    At the foot of the Cross, Mary lives the word Simeon spoke over her: “a sword will pierce through your own soul.” There she becomes the Mother of the Church.

  7. 07The New Rachel39 min

    The story of Joseph prefigures Jesus, and his younger brother Benjamin mirrors John, the beloved disciple. Rachel, their mother, prefigures Mary.

  8. 08Question & Answer32 min

    Dr. Pitre answers questions that surfaced over the course of the study. A deeper understanding of Mary shows even more fully the beauty and love of Our Lord.

Video teaching from Lectio: Mary with Dr. Brant Pitre (Augustine Institute, on Formed).

Your guides

A deacon at the table. A scholar on the screen.

Leads the study

Deacon Mike Bellinder

Deacon Mike leads our study each Saturday, walking with us through the teaching and guiding our conversation.

Video teaching

Dr. Brant Pitre

A Catholic Scripture scholar and author of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, Dr. Pitre presents all eight sessions of Lectio: Mary.

Registration

Save your seat at the table.

One form, about two minutes. Your $40 covers the study materials, which we provide. Coming with someone? Add their name on the same form.

Form not loading? Open the registration form in a new tab →

Good to know

Questions, answered.

Do I need to know the Bible well?

No. Dr. Pitre’s video teaching walks through every passage, and Deacon Mike leads the conversation. Come with curiosity, and bring a Bible if you have one.

What does the $40 cover?

Your study materials for all four Saturdays. They are provided for you, so there is nothing else to buy.

Can I register my spouse or a friend?

Yes. The registration form has a place to add the name of an extra person.

Where exactly do we meet?

12716 Oriole Ave., Grand Terrace, CA 92313. Open in Maps →

Who do I contact with questions?

The Office of Vocations: vocations@sbdiocese.org or 909.783.1305.

“Behold, your mother.”
John 19:27

Four Saturdays leading into Advent. Make room for her, and she will lead you to her Son.

Reserve my seat · $40