In ancient Judaism, the Ark of the Covenant was the only religious artifact that was venerated and even prostrated before, along with the Bread of the Presence that was kept in the Tabernacle of the Temple. It was considered intrinsically holy since it was the medium by which Yahweh physically manifested Himself in the glory cloud. The Ark was regarded as God's personal dwelling place in the world, just like the Temple in Jerusalem, and had no relation to anything considered profane. The Ark was constructed with a sacred purpose, which made it holy.

This sacred object, which was sanctified by God, was made from the purest natural materials - incorruptible acacia wood (shittim) and the cleanest gold (tahor) that covered the Ark without and inside. The golden wreath that embellished the Ark was the final touch to its beauty. The Ark was so holy that anyone who touched it without first having been ritually purified would be struck dead, regardless of their intentions (2 Sam 6:6-7). Originally, the Ark was kept in the Tent of Meeting - a portable temple or tabernacle - during the time of Moses. Later on, it was housed in the Holy of Holies - an inner sanctuary - within the Temple that was built by King Solomon. The Jewish high priests, according to their sacred law (Lev 16:2-4), could enter this perfectly clean space only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The Ark was so holy that even a high priest would be struck dead if he dared to enter the inner sanctuary on any other day of the year.

The Ark held two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, the budded rod of the high priest Aaron, and a golden jar of the manna that came down from heaven during the Israelites' journey in the desert. During the procession, the Ark was accompanied by joyous singing, musicians playing various musical instruments, and priests wearing religious vestments. The procession was a celebration of God's blessings and a reminder of His faithful covenant (2 Sam 6:3).

The Ark was a symbol of God's providential care. In the Battle of Jericho, the Ark was carried around the city's walls seven times, symbolizing the number of days God took to create the world. Eventually, the walls came tumbling down (Josh 6:11-17). Also, during the procession of the Levitical priests carrying the Ark, God caused the water of the Jordan to recede, making way for His chosen people to cross into the Promised Land (Josh 3:2-4, 17). Joshua set up the Twelve Stones at this point, and the Israelites had to pass by them to enter their new homeland. These stones foreshadowed the twelve Apostles, who were Christ's first ministers of the sacrament of Baptism and initiation into the Church. Therefore, when the Israelites venerated the Ark, they were actually worshipping and praising God, as it represented the Divine Presence and the dispensation of His grace. The same can be said for Catholics who venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary and implore her mediation for the providential dispensation of God's grace.

Throughout history, the Catholic Church has held a high regard for the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom they consider as the Ark of the New Covenant. In the early days of Christianity, the majority of the first believers were Jews. Hence, because of their Jewish roots, they naturally saw Mary as the fulfillment of the Ark of the Covenant and recognized her significance. The faithful recognized Mary's exceptional holiness and her separation from all that was impure and even sinful. This is because she was chosen to conceive the Divine Word made flesh in her womb through the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35; John 1:14). Her body can be compared to the incorruptible acacia wood that framed the Ark, and also to the holy Temple where the Ark was eventually kept. Her womb was like the sacred sanctuary, known as the Holy of Holies, where the Ark was primarily concealed within the holy place. The stainless gold of the Ark drew their attention to the purity of Mary's soul (Luke 1:46).

The connection became clear. As the mother of our Lord, Mary held not only the Divine Word, but also in his person the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:8-10), and the “true manna come down from heaven” – the “Bread of Life” (Jn 6:35, 51). Mary held within her the anti-typical embodiment of the sacred relics in the Ark. Since they find their ultimate fulfillment in the holy person of the Divine Son, so too the Ark that held them must culminate in the holy person of the Blessed Virgin Mary who conceived and bore him in her sacred womb which was his personal dwelling place.

It is certain that the Church had a developing tradition of honoring Mary. St. Luke's Gospel draws parallels between Mary and the Ark, referencing people and events from various books in the Old Testament (Book of Exodus, the Second Book of Samuel, 1 Chronicles, 1 Kings, and Zephaniah). For instance, Mary stays at Elizabeth's house for three months to take care of her. During this time, the Ark of the Covenant is kept in the house of Obededom for three months as well. The presence of the Ark of the Covenant blesses Obededom's house and all his possessions. Elizabeth's home is blessed when her infant leaps in her womb at the sound of Mary's voice. Mary, known as the new Ark of the Covenant, and the Ark of the Covenant itself serve as both moral and physical channels of divine grace (Lk 1:56; 2 Sam 6:11; 1 Chron 13:14). The information recorded in his Gospel is believed to have come from the oral tradition passed down by the first witnesses and servants of the spoken word (Lk 1:1-4). This oral tradition is part of the Apostolic Tradition of the Church, and everything recorded in the Gospel is said to be divinely inspired. - MC