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Why do catholics venerate the blessed VIRGIN MARY?


Mary in the Plan of Salvation
The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church
Veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Church

"... when the appointed time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman ... to enable us to be adopted ... (Gal.4:4-5)". The Catholic Church, taught by the Holy Spirit, honours this woman Mary, with filial affection and devotion as a most beloved mother (Lumen Gentium, .53).

In the great Marian churches of the world, such as Notre Dame de Paris, and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, the central act of worship is the Mass - the Lord's supper, the bloodless re- enactment of His sacrifice on Calvary. The focus of worship is the altar, cross and tabernacle. Christ alone is the centre of our faith. He is the one mediator between God and humanity.

http://www.catholicmissionleaflets.org/mary.htm

I think the last paragraph of the website says it quite well...

Christ is the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:4-11), and the ultimate example for the Christian. The Catholic Church has always taught this and nothing in its pastoral activity should obscure this teaching. The Church has taught, however, by the Holy Spirit and by the benefit of centuries of experience, that authentic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary has a great pastoral effectiveness and constitutes a force for renewing Christian life. Ultimately, Mary challenges us with the person and message of Jesus: "Do whatever he tells you." (Jn. 2:5)

Quote from: chandrus on Tue Jan 29, 2008 - 06:57:00
Why do catholics venerate the blessed VIRGIN MARY?

Probably the same reason Gabriel and Elizabeth venerated her: she was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son.

It's always good to see the full reality of Catholic teaching.  The Roman Church has completly departed from scripture.

Not that they place much stock in scripture anyway.

Unbeliveable...Here's a great link for this...

http://www.lightministries.com/id605.htm

Robert G

Quote from: chandrus on Tue Jan 29, 2008 - 06:57:00
Why do catholics venerate the blessed VIRGIN MARY?

You mean, the once virgin Mary?

Quote from: broach972 on Tue Jan 29, 2008 - 09:02:09
I think the last paragraph of the website says it quite well...

Christ is the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:4-11), and the ultimate example for the Christian. The Catholic Church has always taught this and nothing in its pastoral activity should obscure this teaching. The Church has taught, however, by the Holy Spirit and by the benefit of centuries of experience, that authentic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary has a great pastoral effectiveness and constitutes a force for renewing Christian life. Ultimately, Mary challenges us with the person and message of Jesus: "Do whatever he tells you." (Jn. 2:5)

It's called being double minded. They can say great things about Jesus, but it means nothing when they also say the same things about Mary. Everything that the Catholic church tells you can be achieved through prayer to Mary (which is idolatry) is in fact the ministry of the Holy Spirit, not Mary.

Calling Mary in prayer"O Conqueress of Evil and Death," is one of the many examples of blasphemy.

Here are some more prayers to Mary. Look for yourself.
http://www.jorieken.nl/Marypages/PrayerstoMary.htm

http://www.catholicconcerns.com/MaryWorship.html

All one needs to do is listen to the Popes, the prayers, etc to know that that their idea of venerate is worshiping a false god. Also, there are always those who have left the Catholic church that will verify all this. This is not veneration, no matter how badly one wants to believe that's what it is. It's worshiping a false god. The Catholic Queen of heaven has it's roots in Babylon, not the earthy mother of God incarnate.

Dave

Quote from: Dave... on Tue Jan 29, 2008 - 19:55:28

Quote from: broach972 on Tue Jan 29, 2008 - 09:02:09
I think the last paragraph of the website says it quite well...

Christ is the only way to the Father (Jn. 14:4-11), and the ultimate example for the Christian. The Catholic Church has always taught this and nothing in its pastoral activity should obscure this teaching. The Church has taught, however, by the Holy Spirit and by the benefit of centuries of experience, that authentic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary has a great pastoral effectiveness and constitutes a force for renewing Christian life. Ultimately, Mary challenges us with the person and message of Jesus: "Do whatever he tells you." (Jn. 2:5)

It's called being double minded. They can say great things about Jesus, but it means nothing when they also say the same things about Mary. Everything that the Catholic church tells you can be achieved through prayer to Mary (which is idolatry) is in fact the ministry of the Holy Spirit, not Mary.

Calling Mary in prayer"O Conqueress of Evil and Death," is one of the many examples of blasphemy.

Here are some more prayers to Mary. Look for yourself.
http://www.jorieken.nl/Marypages/PrayerstoMary.htm

http://www.catholicconcerns.com/MaryWorship.html

All one needs to do is listen to the Popes, the prayers, etc to know that that their idea of venerate is worshiping a false god. Also, there are always those who have left the Catholic church that will verify all this. This is not veneration, no matter how badly one wants to believe that's what it is. It's worshiping a false god. The Catholic Queen of heaven has it's roots in Babylon, not the earthy mother of God incarnate.

Dave

I think it's interesting that no practicing Catholic claims to give Mary the kind of worship that the ex- and non-Catholic critics of Marianism claim that they do. Are there any Catholics that have some concerns about overemphasis on Mary?

And if you think that observation is disengenuous, I would point out that just about every Protestant (especially people in the Churches of Christ) has very serious concerns about Protestantism and their own churches.

Stop calling me a Protestant.  I ain't in Christ because I ran away, protesting, from anything -- I am in Christ because I ran toward Him and He received me.

Yes, yes, surely lots and lots of Catholics have silly ideas about Mary and various other holy dead people.

But lots of non-Catholics have silly ideas too.

It balances out.  The ultimate conclusion is, lots of people have lots of silly ideas.

Next question?

Quote from: janine on Wed Jan 30, 2008 - 07:45:05
Stop calling me a Protestant.  I ain't in Christ because I ran away, protesting, from anything -- I am in Christ because I ran toward Him and He received me.

Yes, yes, surely lots and lots of Catholics have silly ideas about Mary and various other holy dead people.

But lots of non-Catholics have silly ideas too.

It balances out.  The ultimate conclusion is, lots of people have lots of silly ideas.

Next question?

Oops, sorry Janine. I will respect your protest and not lump you in with all the other Protestants, er, I mean spiritual descendants of the European offshoot movements that left Roman Catholicism.

I find it heresy to call people saints..  I have always felt that that right belongs to God alone because only God knows the hearts of people.

We know Mary had a good heart when she gave birth to Jesus, but we do not know what transpired during her later years.  We don't even know if she is in heaven or not... same with every other person the Catholic church has classified as a saint.  Only God has that power and I would be wary to usurp his rights.

QuoteI think it's interesting that no practicing Catholic claims to give Mary the kind of worship that the ex- and non-Catholic critics of Marianism claim that they do. Are there any Catholics that have some concerns about overemphasis on Mary?

And if you think that observation is disengenuous, I would point out that just about every Protestant (especially people in the Churches of Christ) has very serious concerns about Protestantism and their own churches.

Well, we all know that this response was intended for itching ears. The facts are undeniable. Within the Catholic church, their own words and actions condemn them.

Quote from: Tantor on Wed Jan 30, 2008 - 09:42:51
I find it heresy to call people saints..  I have always felt that that right belongs to God alone because only God knows the hearts of people.

  Only God has that power and I would be wary to usurp his rights.

While God only truly knows the hearts of His people, the Scriptures are replete with His people referred to as saints.  My brothers and sisters in Christ are saints.  And I don't see anywhere that God only has the power to call one a saint.  Paul did.  Luke did.  John did. 

To use the term "saint" to elevate another believer above another believer doesn't make sense to me at all.  We, who are in Christ, are all God's children and are all saints.  It isn't much different than calling a fellow believer "brother", is it?

Quote from: charlie on Wed Jan 30, 2008 - 08:19:49

Quote from: janine on Wed Jan 30, 2008 - 07:45:05
Stop calling me a Protestant.  I ain't in Christ because I ran away, protesting, from anything -- I am in Christ because I ran toward Him and He received me.

Yes, yes, surely lots and lots of Catholics have silly ideas about Mary and various other holy dead people.

But lots of non-Catholics have silly ideas too.

It balances out.  The ultimate conclusion is, lots of people have lots of silly ideas.

Next question?

Oops, sorry Janine. I will respect your protest and not lump you in with all the other Protestants, er, I mean spiritual descendants of the European offshoot movements that left Roman Catholicism.

Are you, yourself, lumped in with all other Protestants? Or, did you finally make the leap to Roman Catholicism?

Quote from: charlie on Wed Jan 30, 2008 - 08:19:49

Quote from: janine on Wed Jan 30, 2008 - 07:45:05
Stop calling me a Protestant.  I ain't in Christ because I ran away, protesting, from anything -- I am in Christ because I ran toward Him and He received me.

Yes, yes, surely lots and lots of Catholics have silly ideas about Mary and various other holy dead people.

But lots of non-Catholics have silly ideas too.

It balances out.  The ultimate conclusion is, lots of people have lots of silly ideas.

Next question?

Oops, sorry Janine. I will respect your protest and not lump you in with all the other Protestants, er, I mean spiritual descendants of the European offshoot movements that left Roman Catholicism.

Actually, I think that the term Protestant didn't originate as a response to any kind of protesting.

Instead, I believe it derives from the Latin protestari, which means to bear public witness. If we used the term in a way that carried its original meaning, we would probably say Proclaimers instead of Protestants.

Does that seem like a more positive reference?