Victor t J. Grok 4.1 analysis on this topic:
Saint Vincent Ferrer (1350–1419), a Dominican preacher and Doctor of the Church, addressed the question of Jesus' first post-Resurrection appearance in his sermons, notably in *Sermo XIX* (on the Resurrection, part of his collected works). He argued that the Blessed Virgin Mary was indeed the first to whom the risen Christ appeared, countering those who claimed it was Mary Magdalene based on a literal reading of John 20:11–18.
### Key Arguments from Ferrer's Sermon
Ferrer's reasoning draws on Scripture, tradition, reason, and piety. Here's a concise summary with supporting evidence:
1. **Scriptural Implication (John 20:2–17)**
Mary Magdalene and others report to the apostles, "We have seen the Lord" (John 20:18, 25), but this is hearsay. The Gospel explicitly details Jesus appearing first to Magdalene *at the tomb* (Mark 16:9; John 20:14–16), but Ferrer distinguishes this from the *very first* appearance, which was private and to Mary at home. He notes the angels' words to the women at the tomb (Matthew 28:6–7; Mark 16:6–7): "He is risen... go tell his disciples *and Peter*." No mention of Mary—why? Because she already knew, having seen Him first. Psalms 68:19 ("You have ascended on high... you have led captivity captive") is interpreted mystically as Christ first visiting His Mother before others.
2. **Reason and Fittingness (Expeditio Rationis)**
- **Filial Piety**: As Mary's son, Jesus owed her the firstfruits of His Resurrection (Proverbs 8:17 on wisdom/firstfruits; Sirach 35:12–13 on God's preference for the devout). It would be unnatural ("contra naturam") for a son to appear to others before his mother, who suffered most at the Cross (John 19:25–27).
- **Mary's Unique Role**: She alone was sinless, preserved from original sin (Immaculate Conception, affirmed by Ferrer), making her the worthiest witness. Christ delayed appearing to disciples to strengthen faith amid doubt (Luke 24:38), but Mary needed no such proof.
- **Timing**: After rising early (Mark 16:9), Jesus went directly home to Mary before dawn, then to the tomb by sunrise.
3. **Patristic and Traditional Support**
Ferrer cites Church Fathers like St. Augustine (*Sermo 232*: implies Mary's prior knowledge), St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, and Origen, who affirm or imply this view. Early liturgies (e.g., Easter sequences) and feasts like "Mary's Risen Son" (in some medieval rites) reflect it. He dismisses Magdalene's "first" mention as chronological for public witnesses only.
4. **Mystical and Prophetic Evidence**
Ferrer references visions, including his own Dominican brothers' revelations, and prophecies like those in the *Golden Legend* (Jacobus de Voragine), where Mary prays in the Cenacle, and Jesus appears enveloped in glory.
### Text Excerpt (Translated from Latin)
From *Sermo XIX*:
> "Dicunt quidam quod primo apparuit Magdalenae... Sed ego dico quod primo apparuit Beatae Virgini Mariae matri suae... Primo quidem ratione debitoris, quia filius matri debitum primum solvit... Secundo ex auctoritate doctorum."
(This aligns with editions like *Sermones Sancti Vincentii Ferreri*, critical ed. by J. Le Bachellet, 1896.)
### Historical Context and Influence
This view was common in medieval theology (e.g., St. Bonaventure, St. Albert the Great) but less emphasized post-Reformation due to sola scriptura. Modern popes like Leo XIII (*Magnae Dei Matris*, 1892) and John Paul II (*Redemptoris Mater*, 1987) endorse it as pious belief, though not dogma. Ferrer's preaching popularized it, influencing art (e.g., resurrection icons showing Mary first) and devotion.
Ferrer's full sermons are available in Latin collections (e.g., via Internet Archive or Patrologia Latina analogs). For English, see translations in *Selected Sermons of St. Vincent Ferrer* (Benziger Bros., 1909). This teaching underscores Mary's primacy in salvation history, blending exegesis with affective piety.

In Principio. Excellent review. What would we do but the same? Our Lord took on our nature. Except for sin.

Lazarus Peter Kalamation.com Thank you.

This has often been mentioned/ preached by the SSPX priests where I go to Mass.