Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary - over the top?!

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Abira

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Hi all,

every time I almost get over my doubts about Maryology something like this pushes me back down… I understand terms such as co-redemptrix and mediatrix etc even though I think they are misleading… but this in particular scares me - it’s no term in particular I disagree with…it’s the sheer volume of lines dedicated to Mary! What’s with it…why not focus on God and give her respect as a side note… The focus on her is a little OTT!
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Mother of divine grace,
pray for us.
Mother most pure,
pray for us.
Mother most chaste,
pray for us.
Mother inviolate,
pray for us.
Mother undefiled,
pray for us.
Mother most amiable,
pray for us.
Mother most admirable,
pray for us.
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us.
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us.
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us.
Virgin most renowned,
pray for us.
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us.
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us.
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us.
Mirror of justice,
pray for us.
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us.
Cause of our joy,
pray for us.
Spiritual vessel,
pray for us.
Vessel of honor,
pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us.
Mystical rose,
pray for us.
Tower of David,
pray for us.
Tower of ivory,
pray for us.
House of gold,
pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant,
pray for us.
Gate of Heaven,
pray for us.
Morning star,
pray for us.
Health of the sick,
pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Help of Christians,
pray for us.
Queen of angels,
pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs,
pray for us.
Queen of prophets,
pray for us.
Queen of apostles,
pray for us.
Queen of martyrs,
pray for us.
Queen of confessors,
pray for us.
Queen of virgins,
pray for us.
Queen of all saints,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin,
pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven,
pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us.
Queen of peace,
pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
what can you say to that to reassure me that Marian devotion isn’t bordering on blaspheme here? To me it sounds like latria as opposed to hyperdulia…does it not encourage Catholics to infringe upon glory that should only be given to God and not Mary?
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and unjoy enternal happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
 
Part of worshiping God is greatly honoring Our Lady Mary, Mother of God.
 
Do you not think that Catholics are sometimes in danger of giving her too much praise?

I have come a long way on the subject, I’m learning to pray the rosary, and I can understand arguments for the Immaculate conception, even though I struggle to infer it from scripture… but when I see prayers such as the one above I feel that they go too far into dangerous territory.
 
Abira said:
Do you not think that Catholics are sometimes in danger of giving her too much praise?

I have come a long way on the subject, I’m learning to pray the rosary, and I can understand arguments for the Immaculate conception, even though I struggle to infer it from scripture… but when I see prayers such as the one above I feel that they go too far into dangerous territory.
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I think it is impossible to give the Mother of God “too much praise”. As long as she is not worshiped, she is worthy of as much praise as you can give her.

As for scriptural reference to the Immaculate Conception, there is none, and none is needed, as the Catholic Faith is not a faith by Sacred Scripture alone, but also by Sacred Tradition and the Teaching Authority of the Church. We Catholics believe something because it is in one (or more) three places: Scripture, Tradition, or Teachings.
 
Abira said:
Hi all,

every time I almost get over my doubts about Maryology something like this pushes me back down… I understand terms such as co-redemptrix and mediatrix etc even though I think they are misleading… but this in particular scares me - it’s no term in particular I disagree with…it’s the sheer volume of lines dedicated to Mary! What’s with it…why not focus on God and give her respect as a side note… The focus on her is a little OTT!
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Mother of divine grace,
pray for us.
Mother most pure,
pray for us.
Mother most chaste,
pray for us.
Mother inviolate,
pray for us.
Mother undefiled,
pray for us.
Mother most amiable,
pray for us.
Mother most admirable,
pray for us.
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us.
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us.
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us.
Virgin most renowned,
pray for us.
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us.
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us.
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us.
Mirror of justice,
pray for us.
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us.
Cause of our joy,
pray for us.
Spiritual vessel,
pray for us.
Vessel of honor,
pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us.
Mystical rose,
pray for us.
Tower of David,
pray for us.
Tower of ivory,
pray for us.
House of gold,
pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant,
pray for us.
Gate of Heaven,
pray for us.
Morning star,
pray for us.
Health of the sick,
pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Help of Christians,
pray for us.
Queen of angels,
pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs,
pray for us.
Queen of prophets,
pray for us.
Queen of apostles,
pray for us.
Queen of martyrs,
pray for us.
Queen of confessors,
pray for us.
Queen of virgins,
pray for us.
Queen of all saints,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin,
pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven,
pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us.
Queen of peace,
pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
what can you say to that to reassure me that Marian devotion isn’t bordering on blaspheme here? To me it sounds like latria as opposed to hyperdulia…does it not encourage Catholics to infringe upon glory that should only be given to God and not Mary?
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and unjoy enternal happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Click to expand...
Mary intercedes for us in prayer as all Chirstians would if we asked them. Notice that it always says Mary “pray for us” being she is a creation of God, a human as are we and NOT divine. All answers to prayer are from God alone.
Hebrews 13:18 says “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.”

We Catholics and Eastern Orthodox only pray within the body of Christ.
 
Look at the beginning of the Litany in which we pray “Lord, have mercy.” Regardless of the title for Mary, the response is always “pray for us.” Mary was made mother of the Church when Jesus gave her to John to care for. The Magnificant in Scripture also says “all generations will call me blessed.” I pray the litany on Saturdays which is devoted to Mary because it is the day she mourned the loss of her son on the cross.
Mary serves as our intercessor. When we pray the rosary, we pray to God through Mary while meditating on the life of Jesus. Mary is the mother of Jesus, who is God incarnate. When we honor the mother, we honor the son.
Putting this in human terms, when we respect the mother of the man/woman we date or marry, we are also honoring the person with whom we plan (or might plan) to spend the rest of our life. When we honor Mary, we honor God (with whom we want to spend eternity) who chose Mary for his Son.
 
KofC660 said:
I think it is impossible to give the Mother of God “too much praise”. As long as she is not worshiped, she is worthy of as much praise as you can give her.

As for scriptural reference to the Immaculate Conception, there is none, and none is needed, as the Catholic Faith is not a faith by Sacred Scripture alone, but also by Sacred Tradition and the Teaching Authority of the Church. We Catholics believe something because it is in one (or more) three places: Scripture, Tradition, or Teachings.
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I don’t want to rip into all forty odd titles for Mary, but just to name one as an example…else I’d be typing forever lol…Mary is not the cause of our joy, Jesus is… regardless of Jesus coming through Mary it doesn’t mean we should attribute all things to her through her Son.

Why all the titles, why not just plain Mary? I suspect there are more titles invented for Mary by man then are named in the Bible for Jesus himself.

It’s the extent of the focus on her that’s my problem.
 
VociMike said:
So which statement is heretical?
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I wouldn’t go so far as to call it heretical… especially in the sense that it is a Catholic idea and is not against Catholic teaching - I’m not Catholic, however, and feel that these titles for Mary are simply not needed and detract from focussing on Jesus. I feel it is ‘borderline’.

I know that won’t make sense to many Catholics as they believe that all honour given to Mary is giving honour to Jesus, I simply feel that the honour given to her is over the top.
 
I am frustrated about this. Let me impart my thoughts on this subject.

If you don’t know about Latria, Dulia, and Hyperdulia, then read this, please. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latria

Now, my frustration stems from looking around this world and seeing the respect and honor we have for fellow humans who have nothing Divine to offer us in comparison to the saints, and especially Mary.

Look at all the statues and monuments. Look at the pictures and paintings on the walls. See how we venerate celebrities and politicians on TV. News articles are written about business leaders in every paper in the modern world.

Whatever we offer in the form of honor and respect to the people of our world, should be dwarfed by that which we give to Mary.

I think it is OK to have a favorite sports person. I think it is OK to have a favorite actor or director (I don’t have one, I have many). I think it is OK to read about people who have worldly knowledge, and give them honor and respect, BUT don’t think for a moment that they should have MORE than Mary.

I understand that this thread is about the Litany and if it has gone too far. I think we go too far in regards to others who have nothing to offer as the saints and Mary especially. Everything short of Latria is due to her. She is the Ark of the New Covenant - the New Covenant being Christ.

So, over the top? No, it’s just below the top. Let’s keep it there.
 
I understand your ideas about the ‘cult of celebrity’…it’s something I try to ignore as much as is possible while still owning a TV…

I am trying to overcome my reluctance to humble myself, and the Litany may or may not be sticking in my throat, so to speak, for that reason…

I’m currently still reading - Mary: an evangelical catholic debate and have learnt a lot from the ideas there but remain unable to think of Mary in the way that Catholics obviously do and it troubles me greatly…does that make sense?

S
 
Abira said:
Hi all,
every time I almost get over my doubts about Maryology something like this pushes me back down… I understand terms such as co-redemptrix and mediatrix etc even though I think they are misleading… but this in particular scares me - it’s no term in particular I disagree with…it’s the sheer volume of lines dedicated to Mary! What’s with it…why not focus on God and give her respect as a side note… The focus on her is a little OTT!
Click to expand...
If your not keeping score, here it is.
Lord- 2
Christ- 3
Holy Trinity- 1
God- 4
And Mary- 36

P.S. I might be off a number or two, did it pretty fast.
Click to expand...
 
Abira said:
…Mary is not the cause of our joy, Jesus is…
Click to expand...
In order to be fully human, Jesus needs a mother. Whether that’s mother’s name was Mary or Rebbecca or Ruth, she is to be honored as the “source”, that is the “fountain”, that is “wellspring” of our Joy, that Joy being Jesus - for Mary is the source, and Jesus IS the Life Giving Water.

That’s the difference between the orthodox and non-orthodox Faith: those of us with the orthodox Faith understand the subtleties. Those without the orthodox Faith can not.
 
NonDenom said:
If your not keeping score, here it is.
Lord- 2
Christ- 3
Holy Trinity- 1
God- 4
And Mary- 36

P.S. I might be off a number or two, did it pretty fast.
Click to expand...
You worship God in your way, we worship Him in His.
 
Abira said:
I wouldn’t go so far as to call it heretical… especially in the sense that it is a Catholic idea and is not against Catholic teaching - I’m not Catholic, however, and feel that these titles for Mary are simply not needed and detract from focussing on Jesus. I feel it is ‘borderline’.

I know that won’t make sense to many Catholics as they believe that all honour given to Mary is giving honour to Jesus, I simply feel that the honour given to her is over the top.
Click to expand...
I must add that it makes most anyone happy to hear others speak well of their own mothers. As Mary is our spriitual mother, and because of the honor due to her for her “yes” and special role in the salvation of man, I am of the opinion that I will always and often speak well of our saviors mother, knowing that it makes him happy as well.

What person, in the proper state of mind, does not burst at the seams when those who are so close and dear to us (our mothers) are given very special honors or gracious compliments. It makes us happy as well because we are connected to that person and share in the joy.

Honoring is not Glorifying.

I can’t even imagine reaching a point where one has honored the mother of God too much especially after the honor bestowed upon her…Giving birth to the savior of the world…Talk about someone deserving of honor !!!

Christ said in the scriptures to render to Caeser what is Caeser’s. Why wouldn’t we render to Mary that which is hers ???

My opinion is that I don’t think I can say thank you enough to Mary for her “yes” to God’s plan.
 
NonDenom said:
If your not keeping score, here it is.
Lord- 2
Christ- 3
Holy Trinity- 1
God- 4
And Mary- 36

P.S. I might be off a number or two, did it pretty fast.
Click to expand...
Pretty shocking that a litany about Mary would be about…wait for it…Mary!
 
KnightforChrist said:
Christ said in the scriptures to render to Caeser what is Caeser’s. Why wouldn’t we render to Mary that which is hers ???
Click to expand...
I’m trying to understand your ideas but I wish you hadn’t used that quote! render to Caeser what is Caeser’s and to God that which is God’s.

I think I’d be comfortable with maybe ten or twenty names, but forty!!

S

to anyone out there who’s had similar problems with Mary, did you find that you came to an understanding? Did anything help you?
 
Abira said:
I’m trying to understand your ideas but I wish you hadn’t used that quote! render to Caeser what is Caeser’s and to God that which is God’s.

I think I’d be comfortable with maybe ten or twenty names, but forty!!
Click to expand...
How often do you think Catholics recite this litany?
 
NonDenom said:
If your not keeping score, here it is.
Lord- 2
Christ- 3
Holy Trinity- 1
God- 4
And Mary- 36
Click to expand...
So in other words, times mentioned = worship?

You better throw Acts out of your Bible then, because Luke (as the author of Acts) mentions Paul’s name more than Christ’s.
 
Abira said:
I’m trying to understand your ideas but I wish you hadn’t used that quote! render to Caeser what is Caeser’s and to God that which is God’s.

I think I’d be comfortable with maybe ten or twenty names, but forty!!

S

to anyone out there who’s had similar problems with Mary, did you find that you came to an understanding? Did anything help you?
Click to expand...
I could not get over it. God deserves the Glory not humans.

We are the recipients of His salvation. We don’t dole out grace.
 
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