The introduction speaks of Mary's "privileged position in the Church" and upheld the teachings of the popes and councils. (BYM 1) Mary's "special role...in the mystery of the salvation of the human race" is reaffirmed, and devotion to her is encouraged in a time when "the Church seeks to adapt herself to the widespread social and cultural changes of our time." (BYM 2)

The intent of the document is to explain Lumen Gentium, chapter 8, which Behold Your Mother called "a beautiful spiritual shrine in which the Mother of Jesus is honored and from which she continues to speak to us with a mother's loving concern." (BYM 3) The American bishops reaffirm chapter 8 in Behold Your Mother as a synthesis of Catholic teaching in terms of Mary's place "in the mystery of Christ and his Church." (BYM 3)

In a sense, the bishops' initial statement is a manifest of Marian devotion in the United States. The text follows:

(7) Dearly beloved brothers and sisters, this is the faith we share with you:

(8) We honor Mary as the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. We recognize her unique and exalted role in the redemption her son brought to men. We love Mary. We try to imitate her virtues of faith, purity, humility and conformity to the will of God, which are part of the very texture of the Gospel message.

(9) We acknowledge that devotion to Mary, the joyful duty of all of us, has a special function in exalting the dignity of woman and fostering respect for her person. We believe in the power of Mary's intercession to bring us, as individuals and as a community, under the influence of Christ's redeeming mercy.

(10) With all the affection of our hearts and the full submission of our minds to the truths of our holy Faith, we repeat the Church's familiar words in praise of the Mother of Jesus:

Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.

After the initial eleven articles of the introduction, the document covers five major areas:

Our Lady in the Bible;
The Church's Understanding of the Mystery of Mary;
Mary, Mediatrix and Spiritual Mother;
Mary in our Life; and
Mary, Mother of the Church.

As stated above, the document is intended to express and explain counciliar teaching. With the exception of articles 54, 59, 60 and 69, all other articles of Lumen Gentium, chapter 8 are specifically quoted and developed, as is Lumen Gentium 46. Articles 13, 18, and 103 of Dei Verbum, The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, are quoted. The title, Mother of the Church, is also explained, and Mense Maio is mentioned. There is a wide range of sources, for example, the Fathers of the Church, John Henry Newman, and contemporary theologians.

Behold Your Mother devotes the first half of the document to doctrine and scripture, the second part treats Marian devotion and pastoral concerns in the following articles:

Mary and the Priesthood, 119-122
Mary and Religious Men and Women, 123-128
Mary and Family Life, 129-142
Mary and dignity of women, 141-142
Mary and Youth, 143-144
Mary and Single Life, 145-146