Im sorry, I have yet another question about Mary, but it is from a catholic friend

[ALLFORHIM]

I

guess my question to you, ALLFORHIM, is how do you think Catholics pray to her?

Hi,
This is really not my thread or interest. I am asking on behalf of a friend whi is catholic who is having these questions. I lost interest a long time ago debating Marian theology.

 

[Sean_Boyle]

Hi,
She cant come on because she only has access to the internet at work and they have apparently blocked these forums from her. She doesnt have the internet at home.

Try the public library?

 

[MariaG]

MariaG, I would argue, that it is, otherwise you are not participating in the Mass (at least in the Latin rite).

Saying, its not necessary to pray to the Virgin Mary, is almost akin to saying its not necessary to pray to the Saints…“we believe in the Communion of Saints”.

Usually when someone objects to “praying to Mary” it is because they do not separate out the difference between praying to God and asking for the prayers of the Saints. In these cases, while a person may acknowledge and believe in the communion of saints, they are unable to separate out in thier heart the difference. This does not mean they are not being a faithful Catholic as long as they continue to seek the understanding of “communion of saints”, nor neither would it be appropriate for them to pray to the saints as they pray to God since it would be violating the first commandment deep in their heart, until the difference is understood by their head and thier heart.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[MariaG]

Hi,
This is really not my thread or interest. I am asking on behalf of a friend whi is catholic who is having these questions. I lost interest a long time ago debating Marian theology.

And while I do not doubt you can help your friend in respect to devoloping a deeper relationship with Christ as you are a strong Christian, I can’t help but think that this information filtered through you, a person who does not understand the difference between praying to Mary as one would to God and asking Mary for her prayers as one would ask any trusted friend, will truly be able to help her understand the Catholic position.

And although you do not believe so, think carefully about how you talk with her since we believe if she leaves the Catholic Church, she is turning her back on Christ if she is not in ignorance about her actions. Do not allow yourself to be party to someone’s possible damnation. Consider finding another well educated and devout Catholic Christian whom you know loves Christ to talk to her.

May God bless you with wisdom and discernment on this issue.

Your sister in Christ,
Maria

 

[ALLFORHIM]

And while I do not doubt you can help your friend in respect to devoloping a deeper relationship with Christ as you are a strong Christian, I can’t help but think that this information filtered through you, a person who does not understand the difference between praying to Mary as one would to God and asking Mary for her prayers as one would ask any trusted friend, will truly be able to help her understand the Catholic position.

And although you do not believe so, think carefully about how you talk with her since we believe if she leaves the Catholic Church, she is turning her back on Christ if she is not in ignorance about her actions. Do not allow yourself to be party to someone’s possible damnation. Consider finding another well educated and devout Catholic Christian whom you know loves Christ to talk to her.

May God bless you with wisdom and discernment on this issue.

Your sister in Christ,
Maria

Actually I copy and paste your responses to her at work. You are right I dont believe the same way as you, but I would never interfere with her personal questions.:nope: That is also why I will not engage in any discussion on this issue of my beliefs. This thread has nothing to do with me or how I believe. Im just trying to help out a friend is all. I rarely even give my friend my opinions on this issue.

 

[VociMike]

OK guys she has another question:thumbsup: She says:

Tell them that the reason I don’t want to pray to Mary is because it seems wrong to give her that much honor when we should be focusing on God and God alone. I recognize Mary’s significance in history, since she did, in fact, give birth to Jesus, but I don’t think we should pray to her like Catholics do.

If she doesn’t want to ask people to pray for her, that’s her right. But Christianity is not an individual endeavor, it is a family affair. Why she would avoid asking her perfected brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for her is hard to imagine. Heck, I’m just an imperfect dad, and I wouldn’t get upset if I saw my children asking each other for help, and saw my children helping each other. I wouldn’t feel slighted in the least. In fact, it would give me great pleasure to see such trust and such charity being lived out by my children.

Would our perfect Father in Heaven be any less pleased to see His children behaving in the same manner?

 

[happygal]

When in fact i also have Catholic frez who have a problem with marian doctrine. He leave the CC long long time ago, despite i asked him to go back. But he is very adament and say NO…
another Catholic frez leave the CC as well and refuse to tell me wat’s the reason…!!! sign thing isn’t it

 

[MariaG]

Actually I copy and paste your responses to her at work. You are right I dont believe the same way as you, but I would never interfere with her personal questions.:nope: That is also why I will not engage in any discussion on this issue of my beliefs. This thread has nothing to do with me or how I believe. Im just trying to help out a friend is all. I rarely even give my friend my opinions on this issue.

I am glad to hear that, for although I know our beliefs are different, my beliefs had me worried about you. There is little greater sorrow expressed by those here than those who talk about the number of people they talked into leaving the Catholic Church. (Church Militant is the one that comes to mind most readily). And you never know, maybe one day you will be reading your bible and the Holy Spirit will reveal to you that which I believe the Holy Spirit revealed to me

Although, I would encourage you, although I am sure you may already do so, so I would encourage you to continue? to pray for and about this situation often and ask the Lord to help lead your friend to all truth.

Your sister in Christ,
Maria

 

[HailMary]

Actually I copy and paste your responses to her at work.

I thought she doesn’t have internet access thou.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

I am glad to hear that, for although I know our beliefs are different, my beliefs had me worried about you. There is little greater sorrow expressed by those here than those who talk about the number of people they talked into leaving the Catholic Church. (Church Militant is the one that comes to mind most readily). And you never know, maybe one day you will be reading your bible and the Holy Spirit will reveal to you that which I believe the Holy Spirit revealed to me

Although, I would encourage you, although I am sure you may already do so, so I would encourage you to continue? to pray for and about this situation often and ask the Lord to help lead your friend to all truth.

Your sister in Christ,
Maria

Thanks Maria:thumbsup:

 

[ALLFORHIM]

I thought she doesn’t have internet access thou.

She has it only at work but work blocks out many websites–this foum being one of them

I e-mail her at work.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Here is another statement:

Tell them that we can know Christ without Mary because Christ is talked about in the scriptures and by the prophets, disciples and apostles. I don’t deny Mary and what she did by saying “yes” to God. She fulfilled the prophesy that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. I just don’t feel right praying to her when I could just be praying to God. I’m not comfortable with the rosary or feast days honoring her.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Another statement from her:

Catholics pray to Mary to intercession for us to Jesus. I don’t understand why you have to go through Mary when you can just go directly to God Himself?
I don’t find myself comfortable praying to Mary and asking her to ask God for things. I have a comfortable relationship with God that I feel like I can ask Him directly. Does that make me a bad Catholic for not praying to Mary like that?
Also, I don’t accept the degree of honor that the CC gives Mary. Does that make me a bad Catholic?
I define “pray” as “ask somebody for something in a reverent, serious manner”. )

 

[jmcrae]

If she doesn’t want to ask people to pray for her, that’s her right. But Christianity is not an individual endeavor, it is a family affair. Why she would avoid asking her perfected brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for her is hard to imagine. Heck, I’m just an imperfect dad, and I wouldn’t get upset if I saw my children asking each other for help, and saw my children helping each other. I wouldn’t feel slighted in the least. In fact, it would give me great pleasure to see such trust and such charity being lived out by my children.

Indeed, if you saw your elder daughter giving advice to your younger son or daughter that she had originally heard from you, would you not be so very proud of her? Or if you heard her say, “Here is how Dad likes us to do this - let me show you how.”

Would you not feel more honoured, rather than less honoured?

Would our perfect Father in Heaven be any less pleased to see His children behaving in the same manner?

I completely agree.

 

[jmcrae]

Here is another statement:

Tell them that we can know Christ without Mary because Christ is talked about in the scriptures and by the prophets, disciples and apostles. I don’t deny Mary and what she did by saying “yes” to God. She fulfilled the prophesy that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. I just don’t feel right praying to her when I could just be praying to God. I’m not comfortable with the rosary or feast days honoring her.

How do you feel about Presidents’ Day, or Veterans’ Day? How do you feel about attending other people’s funerals?

Is it wrong to honour everyone who has gone before, or only Mary?

If only Mary, then why?

 

[jmcrae]

Another statement from her:

Catholics pray to Mary to intercession for us to Jesus. I don’t understand why you have to go through Mary when you can just go directly to God Himself?

Has anyone ever asked you to pray for them, especially if they were in a very difficult situation that was making them very sad?

Did you ever refuse them and tell them that they have to get a grip on themselves and say their own prayers?

Sometimes, we all need help saying our prayers. Mary is alive and up in Heaven. She is most willing to help us say our prayers. This does not mean that we think Mary is the one answering our prayers. We know that it is God who answers our prayers. But Mary and the Saints can pray with us and for us - especially at those times when we don’t really know what to ask for, or when we are feeling far away from God.

And we do nothing wrong by honouring Mary and the other Saints. They did great things, and it is good to remember the great things that they did.

Most of us have no trouble honouring war heroes and politicians who have done great things. I don’t know why it suddenly becomes such an issue when it is a Christian Saint.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

She says as far as Mary being called blessed by all nations she says that she is favored by all nations for obeying God’s will and giving birth to Jesus Christ–there is nothing more then that.

THESE ARE HER WORDS

 

[jmcrae]

She says as far as Mary being called blessed by all nations she says that she is favored by all nations for obeying God’s will and giving birth to Jesus Christ–there is nothing more then that.

Well, that’s quite a bit, don’t you think? There are very few people who are favoured by all the nations. Even the President of the United States is not honoured as highly as that.

 

[jmcrae]

When in fact i also have Catholic frez who have a problem with marian doctrine. He leave the CC long long time ago, despite i asked him to go back. But he is very adament and say NO…
another Catholic frez leave the CC as well and refuse to tell me wat’s the reason…!!! sign thing isn’t it

I am guessing that “frez” means “friend” - but what is “sign thing”? (same thing?)

 

[Gamera]

Another statement from her:

Catholics pray to Mary to intercession for us to Jesus. I don’t understand why you have to go through Mary when you can just go directly to God Himself?

Why can’t we do both? Who says it must be an “either / or” choice? Of course we should pray directly to God. Absolutely! We ask Mary to intercede for us in ADDITION to praying directly to God, not INSTEAD of praying directly to God.