Mary and the First Commandment

[David_Roderick]

arial10black
I believe that over the last twenty years their has been a significant increase in worshiping or praying directly to the Virgin Mary, most notably from the Latino community.
My question is, does this conflict with the First Commandment? That being, “make no likenkess of any king…”, “…nor bow down to them”.

 

[Fidelis]

David Roderick:

arial10black
I believe that over the last twenty years their has been a significant increase in worshiping or praying directly to the Virgin Mary, most notably from the Latino community.
My question is, does this conflict with the First Commandment? That being, “make no likenkess of any king…”, “…nor bow down to them”.

Your belief is unfounded. The Church teaches clearly that we are to worship God alone. “Praying” is not worship----it is asking or talking. Only Protestants consider prayer worship because their truncated theology does not include the highest form of worship, the Sacrifice of the Mass–which is offered to God alone.

Hope that helps!

 

[josephdavid]

Prayer is I believe, either Latin or Greed, root for petition.

If one was to read the prayers of the Rosary or other Prayers petitioned to Mary you will see they are just that petitions to ask her to Pray for us.

 

[Della]

David Roderick:

arial10black
I believe that over the last twenty years their has been a significant increase in worshiping or praying directly to the Virgin Mary, most notably from the Latino community.
My question is, does this conflict with the First Commandment? That being, “make no likenkess of any king…”, “…nor bow down to them”.

In the first place, you have quoted the 1st Commandment incorrectly. Do look it up.

And secondly, no community, Latino or otherwise, worships Mary with the blessing of the Church. The whole of the Catholic Church honors Mary with what is termed hyperdulia, which means we give her the highest honor of all the Saints.

Jesus, being God, is to be worshiped as well as the Father and the Holy Spirit, and no one else. That has always been and always will be the teaching of the Catholic Church.

 

[Eileen_T]

I remember once an older woman made a comment that we couldn’t have too many statues of Mary in a Church. The Parish Priest answered as one, “Yes you can.”

A devotion to and love for Mary is not to be confused with Worship. There are times when I cry out to Mary to intercede with me before God, especially when it concerns my children, because I know that her mother’s heart will be receptive to my plea.

This prayer is different to the many others I direct to God asking for Mercy and Help.

Mary is regarded by Catholics as a conduit to God.

 

[JB]

Eileen T:

…Mary is regarded by Catholics as a conduit to God.

Of course. After all, God chose her to be His conduit to us.

 

[Jaypeeto4]

Catholics do not “worship” Mary.
We do, however, pray to her (as well as to other saints) in addition to praying to God. We ask for her intercession on our behalf with Jesus Christ, and she is generous and glad to grant it.

Jaypeeto4 (aka Jaypeeto3)

 

[puzzleannie]

David Roderick:

I believe that over the last twenty years their has been a significant increase in worshiping or praying directly to the Virgin Mary, most notably from the Latino community.
".

are you a member of the Latino community? do you worship with many members of this community? Does your parish have many members of this community? Are you aquainted with popular piety among Hispanics of various countries, and the teaching of the bishops on respect for popular piety? Have you had consistent opportunities to observe practices of worship and popular piety among large numers of Latinos in the last 10 years so that you can make a blanket generalization about a large community that may soon comprise almost half the Catholics in this country?

Are you aware that cultural practices that display great honor and affection for Mary and the saints, in ways consistent with and appropriate in those cultures may seem, to those whose cultural norms are more reserved, somewhat overdrawn? Are you aware of the bishops teaching on inculturation and respect for cultural practices and modes of expression? Are you perhaps criticizing what you don’t understand or appreciate because it does not conform to your own worship style or experience?