This research is a cultural anthropological exploration of the origins of the Virgin Mary to understand better her modern cults in Italy and Mexico and the relationship between the cults and the Catholic Church. The creation of the modern ideology of Mary, as seen in Italy and Mexico, stems fro syncretism between Christianity and non-Abrahamic, regional religions (so called paganism) of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Papl authorities tolerated her worship and popularity when it promoted the position of the Church in society. However, the Virgin’s importance and worship has rivaled, and in some cases even surpassed, that of her son, Jesus Christ. In Italy and Mexico, the popular image appears closer to that of Tonantzin of Mexico and Isis of southern Italy than to the Church’s image of her as a virginal and pious woman. It is suggested that Italian and Mexican women may be rebelling against the Church by teaching their female children about this pre-Catholic image of the Virgin Mary.