Even though you have met many Catholics, I wonder if you have had the opportunity to travel and see how Catholicism is played out in other countries or even other parts of your own country. Because there are people HERE on CAF that have experienced for themselves the sort of practices that give people the idea that Catholics worship Mary. It may not be the official teaching of the Church, but it does happen, in some places it is rampant.
Many Catholics do not know, understand and practice the differences you speak of. The Institution of the Church has not been able to properly teach all her children. The hard fact is that there are many Catholics that have a very different understanding of the role of Mary, and the honor due her, than you do.
Repeatedly stating that NO CATHOLIC WORSHIPS MARY, won’t change the fact that some Catholics DO, out of misunderstanding, ignorance, or whatever.
And when they realize the error of their ways, and are told by other Catholics that it is NOT a problem, they become very suspect and often leave Catholicism, feeling it has led them astray, and tacitly approved of their former behavior.
The only way to truly deal with the problem is to admit that it happens, and correct it, not to DENY it to the very people who have participated and experienced it for themselves.
I have admitted to people that I worshipped Mary, and they tell me I did not! Yes, I did. It was wrong. I know other Catholics and former Catholics that admit to it as well. In many places, faith is passed on through traditions and practice instead of the Catechism, and some practices are very misleading.
Sometimes it appears that the Catholic church tries to explain it away by using different definitions of things than the common usage. It seems like a loophole when they say “No Catholics worship Mary, because the only form of worship is the Mass, and no Masses are offered to Mary” but then Catholics accuse others of worshipping false gods…but how can they? if they are not offering a Mass to the false gods? It comes off like doublespeak.
Calliope
I wanted to break down your post and comment, but I’m a bit tired, so I’ll just summarize my thoughts.
Firstly, I have not traveled outside of the country much. Mexico is the only place I have been as an adult. Even in this case and when I was younger, I cannot say that I have a good “feel” on how things are conducted in the Catholic Church, so that disqualifies me from commenting on the Church outside of good ol’ USA.
I have, however, traveled much throughout this country, and I stand by my earlier comment. Now, I am not naive … I have met many a Catholic who did not receive the proper instruction, or did not offer up the proper desire to learn, and subsequently have not captured the Truth that the Church teaches.
I have not witness ONE case where someone did not understand the (pardon my expression) pecking order of God, Mary, the Saints, Angels, etc. Even in the most rudimentary level, and even in the most young persons, a deep love for Mary can be seen in those I have met, but it has NEVER surpassed the worship of the Most Holy Trinity. In fact, it has always been most evident that this IS understood. This has been my observation in the 37 years of my life.
I keep seeing people post, and hear people say that the worship of Mary DOES in fact exist. I just don’t think you can determine that. You have to know someone as God knows us to fully determine that - this is impossible. The only way to know, besides what I just mentioned, would be to hear someone say, “I worship Mary”. If you were to hear this, it would be your duty to correct this person immediately.
I could just as easily say, “Most protestants don’t worship Christ, because they do not believe in Real Presence” … or that they don’t attend Sunday Mass, or that they do not love God because they use contraception (not a blanket statement, mind you). I could add many more statements … they would all be wrong.
Protestants that I know DO worship God. They make sacrifices, they help the poor, they pray, they obey … to the level that they have been taught. The proof of worship can only be measured by the understanding of the intention of the person.
I just don’t think you can say that any particular person worships Mary, I guess is my point.
I know I’ve gone on for a while, but let me add one more thing. 400-500 years ago, it seems we all had a good understanding of Mary. Even the reformers shared a deep love for Mary … this can be read in many places. Then after the reformation, it seems that the understanding, and the love for Mary has waned. Is it possible that it is not the teachings of Marian Doctrine that are faulted, but rather the path we are on? How can the reformers (I am thinking of Calvin and Luther, here) show in their writings the highest honors for Mary, and then fast forward to today, and we are debating whether or not she has too much?
Please be mindful of how you say that the worship of Mary is so common. You don’t know the hearts and minds of others. I say this in charity, friend.
God Bless and Good nighty night.
):
, I know we are all learning. I remember when I first re-read the the Gospel of John with the thought of the disciple whom He loved being me and it really blew me away.