Rachel Evans
Catholicism's relationship with Mary, the mother of Jesus, is often misunderstood. While Catholics do not worship Mary, they do believe in her importance and unique role in human salvation. They hold her in high reverence and devotion, often referring to her as the Mother of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church clarifies that only God is to be worshipped, but Mary and the saints can be venerated for their closeness to God. This veneration is reflected in daily life, prayer, hymns, art, music, and architecture in modern and ancient Christianity. Catholics believe that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin, making her the New Eve, and that she remained a virgin throughout her life, giving birth to Jesus miraculously through the power of the Holy Spirit. This doctrine of perpetual virginity is a central belief in Catholic Mariology, the systematic study of Mary's person and place in Catholic theology.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Worship | Catholics believe that only God is to be worshipped |
| Virginity | Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus |
| Divinity | Mary is not divine but venerated for her closeness to God |
| Motherhood | Mary is the Mother of God and the mother of all Christians |
| Intercession | Mary intercedes for believers with her son, Jesus |
| Immaculate Conception | Mary was conceived without original sin |
| Perpetual Virginity | Mary remained a virgin her entire life |
| Bodily Assumption | Mary was taken up into heaven, body and soul |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics do not worship Mary
Mary is seen as having a singular dignity above the saints, receiving a higher level of veneration than all angelic spirits and blessed souls in heaven. She is viewed as the highest of God's creatures and is honoured as the Mother of the Church and of all its members. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that Mary is acknowledged and honoured as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer.
Catholics believe that Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. They do not view Mary as equal to Christ, but rather venerate her because of her relationship to him. Mary is seen as a principal dispenser of God's graces and an Advocate for the people of God. She is believed to intercede for all believers, especially those who request her intercession through prayer.
The Catholic Church does not command Catholics to pray to Mary, nor does it forbid them from praying directly to God. When Catholics pray to Mary, they are honouring her and asking for her intercession on their behalf. They are praying with Mary, asking her to pray with and for them. This is often referred to as 'Marian intercession'.
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Mary is the Mother of God
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Virgin Mary is the mother of the Church and all its members, who are Christians. This belief is derived from the biblical narrative of Jesus on the cross, where he entrusts his mother, Mary, to the care of the Apostle John, thus making her the mother of all believers. Mary's role as the Mother of God is also affirmed by Pope John Paul II, who referred to her as the "mother of the entire Christian people, both faithful and pastors".
Catholics believe that Mary's significance lies in her role as the Mother of God and her unique participation in human salvation. They honour and venerate her as the Mother of God but do not worship her, as worship is reserved only for God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church clarifies that Mary's role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ. Catholics may pray to Mary, asking for her intercession, but they do not expect her to change things through her abilities. Instead, they believe that Mary intercedes for them with her Son, Jesus.
While Catholics hold Mary in high regard, they do not consider her equal to Christ. They venerate her because of her relationship with Christ and see her as a model of perfect love and obedience to him. Mary is also known as the "New Eve," signifying her singular dignity above the saints and her role in bringing about the Incarnation of Christ.
The doctrine of Mary as the Mother of God has been a subject of debate and discussion within Christianity. Some Protestants object to this doctrine, arguing that Mary was only the mother of Jesus' human nature and not his divine nature. However, Catholics assert that denying Mary's motherhood of God is tantamount to denying the divinity of Christ. They emphasise that Mary gave birth to Jesus in his humanity, and by doing so, affirmed his divinity throughout his human existence.
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Mary's Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception is distinct from the dogma of the Virgin Birth of Jesus, which asserts that Mary conceived Christ by the Holy Spirit without the participation of any man. The Greek term Aeiparthenos ("Ever Virgin") is used to describe Mary's perpetual virginity. This doctrine is supported by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states that Christ's birth "did not diminish his mother's virginal integrity but sanctified it."
The angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28), is interpreted as a reference to her Immaculate Conception. The phrase "full of grace" in Greek (kecharitomene) indicates that Mary was graced by God in the past with continuing effects in the present. This grace extended over her whole life, from conception onwards, and is seen as a reflection of God's incomparable goodness.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception has been a subject of controversy, with some arguing that if Mary were free of original sin, she would not need redemption, rendering Christ's saving redemption unnecessary. However, Duns Scotus countered this objection by proposing the idea of preservative redemption, suggesting that being preserved from original sin was a greater grace than being redeemed from it.
The Immaculate Conception is a popular feast day in the Catholic Church, celebrated annually on December 8. It is a Holy Day of Obligation, particularly in the United States, where the Blessed Virgin Mary under this title is the patron saint.
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Mary's Perpetual Virginity
The Bible itself provides some evidence for Mary's perpetual virginity. For example, Matthew 1:25 NAB states, "He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus." This suggests that Joseph and Mary did not have sexual relations until after the birth of Jesus. Additionally, the Greek terms for "brothers" and "sisters" in the Bible can also be interpreted as male and female relatives, rather than literal siblings.
However, some argue that the idea of Mary's perpetual virginity is not explicitly taught in the Bible and must be forced onto the Scriptures. The Protoevangelium of James, an important historical document from the second century AD, provides stronger support for the belief. It records that Mary was dedicated to serving the Lord in the temple from before her birth, which required perpetual virginity. Mary's consecration to the temple is also seen as the reason she was entrusted to Joseph's care.
The early Church Fathers, including Athanasius, Jerome, Augustine, and Ambrose, also defended Mary's perpetual virginity. For instance, Augustine described Mary as "a Virgin conceiving, a Virgin bearing, a Virgin pregnant, a Virgin bringing forth, a Virgin perpetual." Their arguments were based on Scripture and the belief that Mary's virginity demonstrated her purity of heart and total devotion to God.
The Catholic Church officially teaches that Mary is the “Mother of God” and the “Queen of Heaven,” with an exalted place in Heaven closest to Jesus and God the Father. This belief in Mary's perpetual virginity is distinct from the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, which relates to Mary's own conception without original sin.
While Catholics do not worship Mary, they do venerate and honour her as the Mother of God and for her role in human salvation. Mary is seen as a mediator and intercessor, pleading for believers before her Son, Jesus. The celebrations and devotions dedicated to Mary in Catholic traditions demonstrate the love and reverence that Catholics have for her.
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Mary's role as intercessor
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is a central figure in Catholic theology. Catholics believe that worship is reserved for God alone, but they venerate or honour Mary as the Mother of God. This veneration is distinct from worship and is instead a recognition of Mary's unique role in human salvation as the mother of Jesus Christ.
Catholics believe that Mary intercedes for all believers, especially those who request her intercession through prayer. This belief is rooted in the idea that Mary, as the Mother of God, has a unique relationship with Jesus and that her prayers are especially powerful. The Bible also provides examples of Mary's intercessory role, such as at the wedding at Cana, where she intervenes with Jesus on behalf of a young married couple who have run out of wine.
Mary's intercession is seen as a way to draw closer to Jesus and access his grace and mercy. Catholics may pray to Mary, asking for her to intercede on their behalf, knowing that she is on the same spiritual wavelength as her son and desires their eternal salvation. This practice is not based on scripture but on tradition, and some Catholics may not adhere to it. Nevertheless, for many Catholics, Mary's intercession is a source of comfort and a powerful reminder of God's love and mercy.
In conclusion, Mary's role as intercessor is an essential aspect of Catholic Mariology, the systematic study of Mary's place in Catholic theology. While Jesus remains the sole mediator between God and humanity, Mary's secondary intercessory role is seen as a way to honour her unique position as the Mother of God and her ongoing work in the salvation of humanity.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholics do not worship Mary. They believe that worship is reserved for God alone. However, Catholics do venerate Mary, honouring her with great reverence and devotion because she is the Mother of God.
Catholic Mariology is the systematic study of the person of Mary and her place in the Economy of Salvation in Catholic theology. It involves studying her life, as well as her veneration in daily life, prayer, hymns, art, music, and architecture in modern and ancient Christianity.
The four Marian dogmas are Mary's Divine Motherhood, Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, and Bodily Assumption. These are truths proclaimed by the Church to which Catholics must adhere.
