Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church has long been criticized for its devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus. While some people believe that Catholics worship Mary, the Catholic Church forbids the worship of anyone or anything besides Yahweh, the Holy Trinity. Instead, Catholics honor Mary and ask for her intercession, believing that she intercedes for them with her son, Jesus. This distinction between worship and veneration is important to Catholics, who argue that they do not worship Mary but instead hold her in high esteem as the Mother of God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Worship | Worship is honour or respect given to another person. There are two principal expressions of worship: "adoration" or "sacrifice" and "veneration" or "intercession". |
| Catholics do not worship Mary | Catholics do not worship Mary because they do not attribute divinity to her. Worship of anyone or anything other than God is considered idolatry and apostasy. |
| Veneration | Catholics venerate Mary because of her closeness to God and because she is the Mother of God. |
| Prayer | Catholics pray "with" Mary, asking her to pray with and for them. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics do not worship Mary, they honour her
Catholics do not worship Mary; they honour her. This is a distinction that is often misunderstood, especially by non-Catholics. The Catechism teaches that only God is to be adored and worshipped, but that saints can be venerated (honoured) because of their closeness to God. Mary, as the Mother of God, holds a special place among the saints.
Catholics believe that Mary intercedes for us with her Son, Jesus. In other words, she acts as a mediator, presenting our petitions to God and asking that we be treated with mercy. This is different from praying to Mary, as Catholics believe that she does not have the power to change things through her own abilities.
The devotion shown to Mary is not the same as the adoration given to God. Catholics give latria (adoration or worship) only to God and do not attribute divinity to Mary. However, they do give dulia (veneration) to Mary, honouring her as the highest of God's creatures and the Mother of God.
Protestants often assume that Catholic devotion to Mary is idolatry and blasphemy, replacing God with a creature. However, Catholics argue that this is not the case, as they are not giving their allegiance to Mary instead of God. They believe that certain people, such as Mary, can and should be honoured more than others because of their closeness to God.
Catholics honour Mary because of her unique role in human salvation as the Mother of Jesus and because she was chosen by God to bring His Son into the world. By honouring and loving Mary, Catholics believe they can grow in their ability to emulate her life and make a complete gift of themselves to God.
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Mary is not prayed to, but she intercedes with her son, Jesus
It is important to note that Catholics do not worship Mary; instead, they honour and revere her as the Mother of God and the woman who brought Jesus into the world. While Catholics may pray to Mary, it is not with the expectation that she will change things through her abilities. Instead, Catholics believe that Mary intercedes for them with her Son, Jesus.
Mary's intercession is believed to be powerful, and she is seen as a "prayer warrior" who can make requests of her Son on behalf of those who pray to her. This belief is rooted in the idea that Jesus, as a dutiful son, would not refuse his mother's requests. However, it is important to remember that Mary's intercession is not a guarantee that God will grant all requests. Mary is believed to be in alignment with Jesus's will, and her intentions are believed to be in line with His.
Catholics may ask Mary to intercede with Jesus on their behalf, just as they might ask a pastor or friend to pray for them. This practice is known as "veneration" or "intercession," and it is distinct from worship, which is reserved for God alone. Catholics make a clear distinction between the adoration given to God and the veneration shown to Mary and the saints.
The practice of venerating Mary is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and theology. Catholics believe that Mary, as the Mother of God, holds a unique and exalted position. They also believe that she was freed from original sin and is completely submissive to God's will. This belief in Mary's sinlessness and her close connection to God is what makes her intercession so powerful and compelling to Catholics.
While some may question the practice of praying to Mary, Catholics view it as a natural extension of their devotion to her as the Mother of God. They believe that her intercession is an act of love and care for her children, always in alignment with the will of her Son, Jesus.
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Mary is not God, she is the Mother of God
It is a common misconception that Catholics worship Mary. While she is a central figure in the Catholic faith, she is not considered a deity. The Catechism teaches that only God is to be worshipped and adored, and Catholics do not attribute divinity to Mary. Instead, she is revered as the Mother of God and honoured for her unique role in human salvation as the mother of Jesus Christ.
The distinction between "worship" and "veneration" is important here. In ancient Greek, these are called "latria" and "dulia" respectively. Latria is given only to God, while dulia is a form of veneration or honour shown to saints and other holy figures, including Mary. Catholics believe that Mary is the highest of God's creatures and she holds a special place as the woman who gave birth to Jesus and brought him into the world. This belief is supported by the Gospel of Luke, which mentions Mary by name twelve times, and the Gospel of Matthew, which refers to her by name five times.
Catholics do not pray to Mary in the same way they pray to God, expecting her to change things through her own abilities. Instead, they believe that Mary intercedes for them with her son, Jesus. This is similar to asking a lawyer to defend you in court or asking a friend or family member to pray for you. Mary is seen as a relatable and loving figure, appearing in different places and times as a mother to all.
The practice of venerating Mary has existed since early Christianity, and she is often considered the holiest and greatest saint. The title "Mother of God" was recognised at the Council of Ephesus in 431, and she has been honoured and venerated by the Catholic Church throughout history. However, this veneration does not amount to worship, and Catholics do not consider Mary to be equal to or above God.
In conclusion, while Catholics hold Mary in high esteem and honour her as the Mother of God, they do not worship her as a deity. Their devotion to Mary is an expression of love and respect, recognising her unique role in the story of human salvation.
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Mary is venerated, not worshipped
Mary is not worshipped by Catholics, but she is venerated. This is an important distinction, as worship is reserved for God, and veneration is a way to show respect to someone close to God.
Catholics believe that Mary is the Mother of God and the woman who chose to bring Jesus into the world. This unique relationship with Jesus is why she is venerated. Mary is also seen as the mother of the Church and all its members, as when Jesus was dying on the Cross, he asked the Apostle John to care for her. Mary appears in relatable and loving ways, as a mother figure, not as an unattainable goddess.
Veneration of Mary includes prayers and acts that may be accompanied by specific requests for her intercession with God. Catholics believe that Mary intercedes for us with her Son, Jesus. This is not the same as worship, which is only for God. The Catechism teaches that only God is to be worshipped, but that Mary and the saints can be venerated because of their closeness to God.
The tradition of honouring Mary through veneration goes back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries, as seen in early Christian art and literature. This was formalised at the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, which stated that honouring an image of a holy figure is not the same as idol worship, as the honour is passed to the person portrayed.
Protestants often accuse Catholics of worshipping Mary because they pray to her and express their love for her. However, Catholics do not attribute divinity to her and do not believe they are praying to her directly. Instead, they are asking Mary to intercede with her Son on their behalf, which is a form of veneration.
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Catholics do not worship statues of Mary
The idea that Catholics worship Mary is a common misconception. While it is true that Catholics hold Mary in high regard, this does not constitute worship. Worship of anyone or anything other than God is considered idolatry and is forbidden in the Catholic Church. Any Catholic who engages in such worship automatically ceases to be Catholic.
Catholics believe that Mary, as the mother of Jesus Christ, played an important and unique role in human salvation. She is seen as the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. For this reason, she is honoured and venerated, but not worshipped. The word describing adoration and worship given to God alone is "latria", while the veneration given to Mary is called "hyperdulia", and that given to other saints is termed "dulia".
When Catholics kneel or bow before a statue of Mary, they are not worshipping the statue itself. Instead, they are using the statue as a symbol to direct their thoughts to Mary and to honour and remember her. Statues of Mary are just statues, and they do not become idols unless they represent a false god and are worshipped as such. Catholics are not allowed to worship anyone or anything other than God, and since Mary is not God, any statue of her cannot be an object of worship.
The distinction between worship and veneration is an important one. Catholics do not attribute divinity to Mary and do not believe that she can change things through her own abilities. Instead, they believe that Mary intercedes for them with her Son, Jesus. This is similar to asking a loved one to pray for you, only Mary is believed to be even closer to God since she is in heaven.
In conclusion, Catholics do not worship statues of Mary. They honour and venerate her as the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church, but their worship is reserved for God alone.
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Frequently asked questions
You don't. Catholics do not worship Mary. They honour and revere her, but worship is reserved only for God.
Catholics believe that Mary is the Mother of God and the woman who chose to bring Jesus into the world. Kneeling before her image is a sign of respect and devotion, not worship.
Catholics believe that Mary intercedes for them with her Son, Jesus. They pray with Mary, asking her to pray with and for them.
Worship is honour and respect given to another person, and there are two types: "adoration" or "sacrifice", and "veneration" or "intercession". Catholics give adoration only to God, and veneration to Mary and the saints because of their closeness to God.
Explain the meaning of worship and the distinction between worship and veneration. Remind them that they may also venerate others and ask for intercessory prayers.
