ABSTRACT
All indications from the infancy narratives of Luke and Matthew are that Mary knew nothing about the way her son would die. But that has not prevented speculation on the theme of Mary's proleptic knowledge of Christ's passion. Mary gives no indication that she wishes to turn away the Christ child who is flying down toward her. On the contrary, it appears that she has given, or is about to give, her assent to what God is sending her way – namely, a child who will grow up to be tortured and killed upon a cross. The chief psychological implication of Mary welcoming an infant or toddler Christ who already bears his cross is this: she is agreeing to mother a child whose life she already knows will come to a violent end. Mary does not only see her future. She remembers time past, she reminisces. Prolepsis has a counterpart in anamnesis.
