[VIDEO] “Mary Poppins” and Catholicism: An Interview with Julian Ahlquist

Today, Catholics are celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when at the end of her life she was assumed body and soul into Heaven.

Which makes it the perfect time to share this fun discussion I had with Julian Ahlquist, founding faculty member of Chesterton Academy, about Mary Poppins and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Julian makes a strong case that Mary Poppins represents the Mother of God, and one of his reasons is because both Marys experience an assumption (see the end of the Mary Poppins film.)

Julian and I walked through the entire Mary Poppins narrative, noting other Catholic connections, including Bert as St. Joseph and “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” as an unavoidably religious invocation.

Here are some of the connections we discuss:

  • 8 reasons why Mary Poppins represents the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Bert represents St. Joseph
  • George Banks embodies materialism
  • Winifred Banks embodies wayward feminism
  • Jane and Michael represents Marian visionaries
  • Wind represents the Holy Spirit
  • Bert’s chalk drawing as a religious icon
  • “Spoonful of Sugar” represents the acceptance of grace
  • “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” as an invocation of Mary’s salvific role
  • Uncle Albert as a Charismatic Catholic
  • Admiral Boom as a Traditionalist Catholic
  • “Feed the Birds” pointing to Mary Poppins as church
  • The main Christ-figure in the film
  • Mary Poppins’ final assumption

Enjoy the interview!