One of the most misunderstood practices in regards to the Catholic faith is the devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus. My husband was one of those individuals. Mary is not worshipped - but don't take my word for it. I will include outside resources that may explain it better than I can. These dogmas are infallible teachings of the Church and are briefly: Perpetual virginity; Mother of God; Immaculate Conception; and Assumption into Heaven.
In the Catholic faith, Mary is the Mother of Jesus, Mother of God, our Blessed Mother, ever Virgin, Queen of Heaven but she is NOT a god (big G or little g). Mary was human - she said yes to God when asked if she would bring forth the Messiah into the world - at the age of 14 and unmarried - but she said yes to God - to be "handmaid of the Lord". She had been "groomed" for this very important task of giving birth to our Lord before she was conceived (as hers was the "Immaculate Conception", not when she conceived Christ). Mary was special and chosen by God to bring this world the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mary is simply an instrument of God, his humble handmaid, and "full of grace". She and Joseph (he is also admired for his role as Jesus' step-father among other things) raised Jesus. Mary was there for Jesus throughout his ministries and through to his cruxification. She was at his side when he died.
It is our faith tradition that Mary did not die - that is her human body did not die as we know it (her body has never ever been found) but she was taken into Heaven before her human body died - we call this the Assumption. She is reigning Queen of Heaven.
The devotion to Mary can be in the form of novenas (a prayer each day for 9 days to ask her for her intercession with her son for a goal or request); the Holy Rosary; or simply prayers written for her or your own prayers. Who better than a mother to persuade her only son to grant a wish or request (petition) from one of his faithful? We ask for Mary's help in petitioning her son, Jesus, on our behalf. Mary constantly leads us to her son, Jesus.
I hope this information is useful for you and I pray it will make a difference for you in your life. You do not have to be a Catholic in order to pray to Mary for her help. You can find more information online at:
BTW, we also believe in asking the saints in Heaven to intercede on our behalf as well. It is not just a "Mary-thing" but a very Catholic-thing. The next installment in this blog will attempt to explain the Catholic view of the Bible - as an inspired collection and what it is and what it isn't. Until next time....peace be with you.
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