Catholics believe that worship is due to God alone. Catholics do, however, venerate Mary. In other words, we honor our Blessed Mother with great reverence and devotion because she is the Mother of God.
Mary
The Catholic Church has always celebrated Mary. Everything we believe leads us closer to Jesus. What Catholics believe about Mary can be summarized in 5 key teachings:
Theotokos: Mary is the Mother of God.
1. Perpetual Virginity: Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus.
2. Immaculate Conception: Mary was conceived without original sin.
3. Assumption: Mary was taken body and soul into heaven.
4. Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate: Mary plays a unique role in redemption.
Mary, Mother of God If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. Saying Mary isn’t the Mother of God denies the divinity of Jesus. This teaching is called “theotokos,” which literally means “God-bearer.” By affirming Mary is the Mother of God, we are affirming the most fundamental Christian truth: Jesus is God. The Blessed Virgin Mary God became man in Mary’s womb. Mary fulfilled Old Testament prophecies by miraculously conceiving and giving birth to Jesus as a virgin, and she maintained her virginity throughout the rest of her time on earth. Her perpetual virginity celebrates that amazing moment when God became man. “Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.’” Luke 1:34-35 The Immaculate Conception Mary was different from the moment she was conceived in her mother’s womb. While we inherited the sin and brokenness of Adam and Eve, Mary was saved from that original sin. God saved Mary from ever having sin and brokenness in the first place. How appropriate that the woman who carried God in her womb would be pure and sinless! Now, that doesn’t mean she did not need redemption. Mary did need redemption. Jesus redeemed all of us by his suffering and death on the cross. Those saving graces simply redeemed Mary in a special way.
God used the graces from the cross to save Mary from the stain of all sin at the moment of her conception. How is this possible? God exists outside of time, so he can apply the graces of redemption at different times of history, as he did with Mary.
The Assumption of Mary
God granted Mary yet another gift. At the end of her time on earth, Mary was taken (or “assumed”) body and soul into heaven. This means Jesus and Mary are the only two people in heaven who are there in both body and soul. Jesus chose to honor and give his mother this glory in heaven.
“A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”
Revelation 12:1
Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate
Mary suffered with Jesus. As co-redemptrix, we acknowledge her intimate cooperation with Jesus in the redemption of humanity, in his amazing sacrifice for us on the cross. She bore him, raised him, supported him in his ministry, and walked with him every step of the way to his passion and death.
“Woman, here is your son . . . Here is your mother.” John 19:26b
Now in heaven, our mother loves us as mediatrix and advocate. This means Mary tirelessly brings our needs to her son, and gives us his graces. Whatever we’re struggling with or whatever our loved ones are struggling with, we can bring to Mary.
Follow Mary to Her Son
It’s all about Jesus. Just as we learn much about the life, teachings, and person of Jesus from the Gospels, we can learn much about Jesus from Mary. She has a unique perspective. She can tell us things about Jesus, and teach us things that nobody else can. Everything Mary does and is brings us closer to Jesus.
Why is May the Month of Mary?
The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Mary, came about in the 13th century. Some say because it was created to replace various pagan cults. The actual reason is the fact that this month is the time when spring is at the height of its beauty. Spring is also connected with nature renewing itself. In her way, Mary gave new life to the world when she gave birth to our saviour Jesus Christ.
The link between Mary and the month of May became popular among the members of the Jesuit Order — by 1700 it had a firm hold among their students at the Roman College and a short time later it was publicly celebrated in the Gesu Church in Rome. From there it spread to the rest of the Church.
The pious practice of honouring Mary during the month of May has been especially promoted by the Popes. Pius XII made frequent reference to it and in his great Encyclical on the Sacred LiturgyMediator Dei. He characterized it as one of "other exercises of piety which although not strictly belonging to the Sacred Liturgy, are nevertheless of special import and dignity, and may be considered in a certain way to be an addition to the liturgical cult: they have been approved and praised over and over again by the Apostolic See and by the Bishops"
Devotion to Mary is one an important part of the Catholic identity. As our mother she is an example of a committed “Yes” to the will of God. Because of the devotion to her many people ask her for help in the most difficult moments of their life as any child does with his mother.
Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Amen.
When Catholics call Mary their mother, it may seem like they are taking away some of the respect due to Jesus and giving it to Mary. This is far from the case. Fr. Mike points out two reasons why calling Mary our mother can improve our relationship with Christ, and strengthen our faith life.
1. Loving the people Jesus loves helps you love him more. The more you love Mary the more you love God.
2. Jesus gave Mary to us as our Mother on the Cross.
“When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother,
‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’
And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home”
(John 19:26-27).
Mary's not God, but she's super important. In “Catholic Central: Mary” Kai and Libby look at the Jewish girl who said “Fiat!” (Latin for “Let It be done”), became Jesus’ mother and His first disciple, and, per Christ’s edict from the Cross, mother to us all. We learn that she’s venerated, not worshiped; asked to pray for us; and makes occasional appearances to the faithful to achieve her one mission: bringing people closer to her Son.
"O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all you necessities. Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of necessity."
- Saint Basil the Great
"If you invoke the blessed Virgin when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave you." - Saint John Vianney
"Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence." - Saint Francis de Sales
"The Son of God became man for our salvation but only in Mary and through Mary."
- Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
"May the mother of Jesus and our mother, always smile on your spirit, obtaining for it, from her most holy son, every heavenly blessing." - Saint Padre Pio
Mary is the model of perfect love and obedience to Christ.
Theotokos: Mary is the Mother of God. Perpetual Virginity: Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. Immaculate Conception: Mary was conceived without original sin. Assumption: Mary was taken body and soul into heaven.
If we’re on one side of a river and God is on the other, then Mary is the bridge God created to bridge the gap. He walked over the bridge to us, died, and rose again.
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