Devotion to Mary

[EvangelCatholic]

Hi KathleenGee,

Out of deep respect for your kindness to me on CAF and because I know you have a devotion to Mary, I prayed a special prayer today while I was taking my daily walk.

I thanked God for Mary and thanked the Virgin Mary for her obedience in saying 'Yes" to the Lord and for her great faith and love for our Savior. I thanked her for raising Jesus in love from an infant until His death, for never abandoning Him, and for being there with Him at His sorrowful death on the cross when He paid the ultimate price for our sins.

She risked much from the time the angel came to her until Christ’s death on the cross but she never denied our Lord and she didn’t hesitate to do God’s will in her life. She is a model of faithfulness and obedience for all people, and she shows all Christians what it means to live a virtuous and godly life. She is truly “Blessed among women” and deserves special recognition and honor as Christ’s mother.

I know this was a feeble first attempt by this protestant lad at saying thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary for all she’s done, but I can assure you it was from my heart.

A wonderful prayer that any Christian could join you in saying.

 

[johnnyc176]

The Hail Mary can be said after Mass, at the discretion of the priest. The first Catholic parish I ever attended said the Hail Mary after Mass (immediately following the Mass). And we knelt while we recited it. It’s an old-fashioned and very Catholic thing to do. Also, if I recall correctly, it’s usually said after Mass at the TLM.

I have not read all the comments so I apologize if this is being repeated but the Prayers after Low Mass are not just restricted to the TLM. They are prayed after many OF celebrations. Also I have seen many times where we ask for the Blessed Mother’s intercession (Hail Mary) during Mass (prayers of the faithful). If you want to read a beautiful reflection about Mary and the Eucharist check out Saint John Paul II encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia chapter 6 At The School of Mary, Woman of the Eucharist.

vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html

 

[JonNC]

A nice Catholic on this forum once told me that Mary is in heaven praying for me even if I don’t pray to her. I appreciate that and it has stuck with me in a positive way. I will try to keep an open mind because I realize my thoughts are fallible and there is only one God and I’m definitely not Him .

It is about 8 1/2 years ago that I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Not long after the diagnosis, I got into the habit of carrying a picture of St. Peregrine with me, and even though I have had no evidence of the cancer returning since my treatment, I still have that picture with me.
I don’t pray to the saints, as it is not typically part our tradition. But what you have said here is; that we know the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints pray for us, whether we invoke them for intercession or not.

I respect those who maintain a devotion to the Virgin Mary but my prayers will be continue to be directed to God alone through His beloved Son Jesus Christ.

Amen. And since I know the saints pray for me, I direct my prayers to the Triune God, asking Him to listen to the intercessory prayers of the saints in the Church Triumphant.

Jon

 

[benhur]

This is like asking, “Are family members required to speak to one another?” or in the case of the Blessed Virgin, “Am I required to speak to my mother?”

I usually don’t speak to people I have not met, and last I heard only God is omnipresent.

 

[JonNC]

I usually don’t speak to people I have not met, and last I heard only God is omnipresent.

After a fashion, you just spoke to Ad Orientem. No?

Let me ask you this: in Luke 15, Jesus says the following;

3So he told them this parable: 4“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

If the saints in Heaven are not at least aware of, in some way, events, how could there be joy in Heaven over one person’s repentance?
This is the one verse, Luke 15:7, that, for me, leaves the possibility open for invocation of the saints.

Jon

 

[FathersKnowBest]

Even when I was Catholic it didn’t feel right.

Are feelings the determinant of whether something is in actuality right?
Are feelings the “norm” by which all else is “normed”?

 

[FathersKnowBest]

That’s what I mean, that I could ask Mary for intercession if she truly is sorta omniscient due to her presence in Heaven. However, some of the “prayers” or “requests” whatever you call it make me uncomfortable. And let’s face it, it’s a Catholic practice and I would be embarrassed to ever show anyone that said practice is my belief.

I think even if I could just accept what the CC teaches just because I choose to be submissive, I still would be ashamed to have anyone see me practicing what Catholics practice in regards to Mary. Therefore that would make me a hypocrite.

You really should read Hail, Holy Queen!. I think Dr. Hahn directly addresses your opinion on this; he once held it. He likened it to the way he was ashamed to be seen with his own mother as a young teenager.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

It is about 8 1/2 years ago that I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Not long after the diagnosis, I got into the habit of carrying a picture of St. Peregrine with me, and even though I have had no evidence of the cancer returning since my treatment, I still have that picture with me.
I don’t pray to the saints, as it is not typically part our tradition. But what you have said here is; that we know the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints pray for us, whether we invoke them for intercession or not.

Amen. And since I know the saints pray for me, I direct my prayers to the Triune God, asking Him to listen to the intercessory prayers of the saints in the Church Triumphant.

Jon

Yes and as the liturgy says: "Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all the Company of Heaven we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying. This is the prayer of the Saints in Heaven and on earth as we chant the Sanctus. The solemnity of the Mass is now focused on our undeserving salvation and we kneel before Christ, the Lamb of God.

Holy Mary points us to Jesus.

 

[pablope]

I usually don’t speak to people I have not met, and last I heard only God is omnipresent.

Is it Mary’s fault, or any saint for that matter, that you have not bothered to know any of them?

Or it is a personal choice you made?

 

[pablope]

After a fashion, you just spoke to Ad Orientem. No?

Let me ask you this: in Luke 15, Jesus says the following;

If the saints in Heaven are not at least aware of, in some way, events, how could there be joy in Heaven over one person’s repentance?
This is the one verse, Luke 15:7, that, for me, leaves the possibility open for invocation of the saints.

Jon

Well, Jon…just a thought…both east and west have been teaching the communion of saints for years…so do you still doubt that those in heaven do not know what is happening here earth?

 

[benhur]

Is it Mary’s fault, or any saint for that matter, that you have not bothered to know any of them?

Or it is a personal choice you made?

As with Jesus especially, there is a big difference between knowing about someone and meeting them in person.

 

[House_Harkonnen]

Are feelings the determinant of whether something is in actuality right?
Are feelings the “norm” by which all else is “normed”?

Not at all.

 

[benhur]

After a fashion, you just spoke to Ad Orientem. No?

Yes, I met him “online”.

Let me ask you this: in Luke 15, Jesus says the following;
If the saints in Heaven are not at least aware of, in some way, events, how could there be joy in Heaven over one person’s repentance?

Well it could be three things: could be like the Greek mythology movies (Sons of Hercules which I like) and Zeus and his “heavenly” companions up on the Mount looks into the crystal ball or fountain waters and they can all see what is happening on below, or two, God tells everyone so and so just got saved, or three, we are like Zeus (God) in some fashion and can “see down here” also (that is not far fetched, especially “when we shall be like Him” in the end.

This is the one verse, Luke 15:7, that, for me, leaves the possibility open for invocation of the saints.

There is the possible reliance on many things God has made and placed before us to meet our needs. If I call some stuff superstitious or misplacement of faith (the only avenue to please Him) I am reminded of how I do the same one way or another. Yet off the mark is off the mark, because there are some things in faith that are more sure, where the light is brighter, even brightest.

 

[ptisme]

A Lutheran acknowledges that heaven comes down to earth at each eucharist and we name Mary, the first and foremost among the saints. I was taught that in holy Communion we are in the Presence of Christ and all who worship Him including the faithful departed. The pastor preached that the real cemetery was in the Mass, the closest we can be with our loved ones, in the company of the saints. But we generally stop short of actually calling out to Our Lady. Lutherans know she is praying for us. That is good enough.

I like that:thumbsup:

 

[ptisme]

Hi KathleenGee,

Out of deep respect for your kindness to me on CAF and because I know you have a devotion to Mary, I prayed a special prayer today while I was taking my daily walk.

I thanked God for Mary and thanked the Virgin Mary for her obedience in saying 'Yes" to the Lord and for her great faith and love for our Savior. I thanked her for raising Jesus in love from an infant until His death, for never abandoning Him, and for being there with Him at His sorrowful death on the cross when He paid the ultimate price for our sins.

She risked much from the time the angel came to her until Christ’s death on the cross but she never denied our Lord and she didn’t hesitate to do God’s will in her life. She is a model of faithfulness and obedience for all people, and she shows all Christians what it means to live a virtuous and godly life. She is truly “Blessed among women” and deserves special recognition and honor as Christ’s mother.

I know this was a feeble first attempt by this protestant lad at saying thanks to the Blessed Virgin Mary for all she’s done, but I can assure you it was from my heart.

Tommy, I think the more protestants absorb the fact that Catholics, like Protestants, believe that no one goes to the Father except through Christ, the more common ground we can make.
We look at Mary as a pair of spectacles. If we look through the spectacles (Mary) and focus on Christ He becomes more clear to us. If we put our focus on the spectacles themselves, then we are committing idolatry.

 

[JonNC]

Well, Jon…just a thought…both east and west have been teaching the communion of saints for years…so do you still doubt that those in heaven do not know what is happening here earth?

No. Luke 15, along with the testimony of the historic is rather convincing that they pray for us.
We teach the communion of saints, as well.

Jon

 

[cheezey]

Tommy, I think the more protestants absorb the fact that Catholics, like Protestants, believe that no one goes to the Father except through Christ, the more common ground we can make.
We look at Mary as a pair of spectacles. If we look through the spectacles (Mary) and focus on Christ He becomes more clear to us. If we put our focus on the spectacles themselves, then we are committing idolatry.

I like this.

 

[pablope]

As with Jesus especially, there is a big difference between knowing about someone and meeting them in person.

So, I take it to mean, you do not believe there are saints in heaven, or those in heaven are dead?

 

[pablope]

Yes, I met him “online”.

Quote:
Let me ask you this: in Luke 15, Jesus says the following;
If the saints in Heaven are not at least aware of, in some way, events, how could there be joy in Heaven over one person’s repentance?

And do you think those saints in heaven were not placed by God to help us in meeting our needs?

Do you you somehow think God is threatened when someone invokes the saints in heaven to pray for them?

If I call some stuff superstitious or misplacement of faith (the only avenue to please Him) I am reminded of how I do the same one way or another. Yet off the mark is off the mark, because there are some things in faith that are more sure, where the light is brighter, even brightest.

And if there are some things in faith that are not more sure, what are you supposed to do?

What does the Bible say and to whom to go to?

[/QUOTE]

 

[pablope]

No. Luke 15, along with the testimony of the historic is rather convincing that they pray for us.
We teach the communion of saints, as well.

Jon

:thumbsup:Thanks, Jon…from your statement here…“This is the one verse, Luke 15:7, that, for me, leaves the possibility open for invocation of the saints.”…i thought you still had lingering doubts.