Grace Thompson
Catholics do not worship Mary, the Mother of Jesus, but they do honour her and ask for her intercession. Catholics pray to Mary, but not in the same way they pray to God. They believe that Mary and the saints are dead in this world but alive with God in heaven, and that their prayers are powerful. Catholics believe that Mary points them to Jesus. They do not offer Mary sacrifices, which are reserved for God alone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Worship Mary | No |
| Pray to Mary | Yes |
| Honour Mary | Yes |
| Worship Jesus as Mediator of Redemption | Yes |
| Worship God alone | Yes |
| Idol worship | Absurd |
| Graven images | Not against God's laws |
| Mary's perspective | Unique |
| Mary's role in faith | Fascinating |
| Mary's role in redemption | Unique |
| Mary's Immaculate Conception | Yes |
| Assumption of Mary | Yes |
| Mary's intercession | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics pray to Mary, but not as God
Catholics pray to Mary, but they do not worship her as a God. The Catholic Church teaches that God alone, the Supreme, Infinite Being, must be adored. To worship any creature, however exalted, would be to commit idolatry. While Catholics pray to Mary, they do so to honour her and ask for her intercession, not to worship her as a deity.
Catholics believe that Mary, as the Mother of God, has a unique perspective and plays a significant role in their faith. They honour her for her unwavering devotion to God's plan for Salvation and for her embodiment of obedience and faith. However, they do not worship her as they would God.
The distinction between prayer and worship is important to understand. Prayer is a conversation with God, a direct address to Him. Worship, on the other hand, is about giving God what He is due. It is a distinct act of sacrifice and adoration reserved solely for God. Catholics do not offer such sacrifice to Mary; they honour and revere her, but their worship is reserved only for God.
Furthermore, Catholics believe that Mary, being in heaven, can intercede for them with her divine Son. They ask for her prayers and believe that her intercession is powerful. This belief is reflected in the common Catholic prayer, "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death."
The devotion Catholics show to Mary is based on their belief in her role as the Mother of God. They do not consider their reverence for her as worship, but rather as honour and respect for the mother of Jesus. They believe that Jesus himself honoured her, and they follow his example.
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Mary is honoured, not worshipped
Catholics do not worship Mary; they honour her. This distinction is important, as worship is reserved for God alone. To adore any other creature would be committing idolatry.
Catholics believe that Mary, as the Mother of God, is worthy of honour and respect. She was chosen by God to bring His Son into the world, and she gave her unwavering commitment to God's plan for salvation. Mary is seen as the perfect embodiment of faith and obedience, and her perspective as the Mother of God is considered fascinating and worthy of celebration.
Catholics pray to Mary, asking for her intercession, but this is not the same as worship. They believe that Mary, being in heaven, can intercede with her divine Son on their behalf. This is likened to asking a friend to pray for you when you are sick. It is also similar to asking a queen to intercede with a king, as Mary is sometimes referred to as the "Queen of Heaven".
Catholics also have statues and pictures of Mary in their churches and homes, which some may perceive as worship. However, Catholics argue that it is not against God's laws to create images, but only to adore them. Furthermore, Catholics do not offer sacrifices to Mary, which is a key aspect of worship reserved for God.
In summary, Catholics honour and revere Mary, the Mother of God, but they do not worship her. Their devotion to Mary is an expression of familial love and respect, and it is ultimately meant to lead them closer to Jesus.
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Mary is the Mother of God
The Catholic Church holds that Mary is the Mother of God. This belief is based on the understanding that Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is God. The title "Mother of God" is derived from the ancient title "Theotokos", which means "God-bearer". The Council of Ephesus in 431 CE recognised this title, and the dogma was proclaimed in the early church.
Catholics venerate Mary and give her honour, but they do not worship her. Worship is reserved for God alone, and Catholics adore only God as the Supreme Being. However, Catholics do pray to Mary, asking for her intercession, and they may also invoke her. This practice is based on the belief that it is not sinful to speak to or honour Mary, and that it is natural to show special honour to someone with a special dignity, such as a mother.
Mary is seen as the Mother of God because she gave birth to Jesus, who is believed to be both fully divine and fully human. This belief is central to Christianity, as denying Mary's title as Mother of God would imply that Jesus was not divine, which is heretical in Catholic doctrine. Mary is thus an important figure in Catholic theology, and her role as the Mother of God is deeply revered.
While some may be uncomfortable with the title "Mother of God", as it may imply a level of divinity to Mary, it is a technically accurate description of her role as the mother of Jesus. This title is also supported by scripture, specifically the prophecy in Genesis 3, and it has been affirmed by both Protestants and Catholics since the Council of Ephesus.
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Mary's role in redemption
The idea of Mary as "Co-Redemptrix" or "Co-Redeemer" is not a new concept. It was especially common in the late Middle Ages, promoted heavily among Franciscans but often resisted by Dominicans. The term "Co-Redemptress" was even used by Pope Leo XIII in 1894. However, by the early 16th century, the hopes of this concept becoming Catholic doctrine had faded. In the 1920s to 1940s, attempts to promote a fifth Marian dogma were vetoed by Pope Pius XII.
The Belgian theologian Fr. Jean Galot, a consultant to the Holy See, articulates the legitimacy of Christian coredemption doctrine as a universal Christian call based on St. Paul's teaching on participation in Christ. He argues that while coredemption assumes a unique form in Mary due to her role as the Mother of Jesus, the concept of coredemption is broader and includes all who are called to unite themselves with the work of Redemption.
Despite the lack of formal dogma, many Catholics continue to honor Mary and invoke her intercession. They believe that her role in redemption is ongoing and not just limited to the birth of Jesus. As the first Christian, she continued to cooperate with God's grace, attending to Jesus at the cross and being present at the founding of the Church at Pentecost. Catholics see Mary as a mediator and intercessor, asking her to pray for them and mediate God's grace.
In summary, Mary's role in redemption, as understood by Catholics, is a complex and multifaceted topic. While the title "Co-Redemptrix" or "Co-Redeemer" is not officially adopted by the Church, many Catholics recognize her unique and essential participation in the redemption of humanity through her free consent, ongoing cooperation with God, and mediatory role.
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Catholics do not worship Mary
Catholics believe that Mary, as the Mother of God, has a unique perspective. She was saved from original sin and was taken body and soul into heaven. She is the perfect embodiment of obedience and faith, and God chose her to bring his son into the world. Catholics hold Mary in high esteem and believe that her prayers are powerful. They may ask for her intercession, but this is not the same as worship.
Catholics may have statues or pictures of Mary in their churches and homes, but this is not against God's laws. It is not against God's laws to make images, only to adore them. Catholics do not adore Mary, they adore God alone.
Fundamentalists often have a negative view of Mary and claim that Catholics worship her. They may see any positive teaching about Mary as a sign of worship. However, this is a distortion of what the Catholic Church teaches and believes about her. Catholics do not worship Mary; they worship God alone.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholics do not worship Mary. They honour her and ask for her intercession, but worship is reserved for God alone.
Catholics believe that Mary and the saints are alive with God in heaven and their prayers are powerful. Asking Mary to pray for us is like asking a friend to pray for us when we are sick.
Catholics believe it is not against God's laws to make images of Mary, it is only against His laws to adore them. Catholics do not adore Mary, they honour her as the Mother of God.
