Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Answer: Although you have not actually asked a specific question, it should be obvious that your comments need to be addressed. It is readily apparent that you have done little or no research in order to try to understand what Catholics truly believe and the foundations for these beliefs.
Today, there is much misunderstanding, outside the Catholic Church, concerning the Catholic practice of honoring Mary and the saints.
I wish to emphasize that the Catholic Church literally condemns as idolatry, the worship of anything or anyone other than the trinitarian God.
The word in the Bible for “saint” or “saints” is the Greek word “hagios” also translated “sanctified” or “holy ones.” The root word “hazo,” means “to venerate.” Hagios means to be separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God.
Why should we honor the saints? The answer is straightforward; because God did! God provided the necessary grace, through faith, to enable these men and women to live lives of heroic sanctity. If God honored the saints, shouldn’t we do the same?
God honored Mary in a very special way by choosing her, from among all his creatures to be the Mother of his Incarnation. It is certainly logical to believe that God protected Mary — even from original sin.[1]
If you were God (Jesus) and had the ability to create your own mother, would you allow blemishes, either physical of spiritual, or would you make her perfect in every way? Holy Scripture is very clear that nothing profane can come into contact with God and live (1 Chron. 13:10). Since Mary was to be the vessel in whom Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God, would be conceived and nurtured, she would have had to be a pure vessel, without any taint of sin. She would have to have been conceived in her mother Anne’s womb without sin. Catholics call this the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX solemnly defined it as an article of faith “that, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ the Savior of the human race, the Blessed Virgin Mary in the first instant of her conception was, by a unique grace and privilege of almighty God, preserved from all stain of original sin.”
Further, if it were within your power, would you ever allow your mother to be under the influence of the Evil One? God honored Mary by choosing her, above every other human being who would ever live, to be the Mother of Jesus. If God honored Mary in such a way, should not we honor her also? By honoring Mary and the saints we are simply emulating God.
If I honored your mother, would not you be pleased. If I insulted your mother in any way, would you not be hurt or even angry. Honoring Mary is certainly pleasing to Jesus.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “’All generations will call me blessed’: The “Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs…. This very special devotion … differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.’ The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an ‘epitome of the whole Gospel,’ express this devotion to the Virgin Mary’” (§971).
The Decalogue commands that we honor our fathers and mothers. Jesus would have fulfilled this commandment, in reference to Mary – perfectly; he could do no less. Catholics simply ask Mary, in prayer, to present our petitions to her Son. Certainly, we can go directly to Jesus with our requests, but what loving son would refuse his mother any request within his power to grant?
What loving son, would ignore his mother? Would you not grant her every wish? Catholics rely on the love Jesus had for His mother, by asking her to intercede for us before his throne. We fly unto her protection, knowing that under her mantel we will be sheltered and protected. Mary is not only Jesus’ mother, but she is our mother as well. When Jesus gave His mother to Saint John at the foot of the Cross, He gave her also to the Church, the living Body of Christ.
Mary is our mother and we are her children. We can rest in her loving arms in the same way that our blessed Lord did so many years ago, and as he continues to do so today. Mary never stopped being the mother of Jesus.
Jesus’ love for Mary was perfect then as it is perfect now. We must continue to emulate Our Lord and Savior. Ask Mary to lead you to a closed relationship with Jesus. There is nothing she would rather do.
[1] Born with the absence of grace.