Question from RCIA - regarding Mary and salvation

[RHC]

I had a disturbing experience in RCIA yesterday.

Could Mary have saved the world? This question was posed to our RCIA class. Several people (who are already Catholic) said, “Well, she was sinless, so yeah maybe.” I have to admit, this disturbed me, as I have been taught that there is but One Savior - and that is Christ, not Mary.

I pointed out that the Blessed Virgin was sinless because of a special grace given her from God that applied Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to Mary before it happened (as I learned in the Apologetics section), thus keeping her from original sin because of her singular role as the Mother of God. Therefore, she could not have saved the world because she, too, needed a Savior; God’s grace simply applied her salvation prior to her birth. To my concern, several of my fellow RCIA students looked at me with confusion, and two of them glared at me as if I had somehow insulted our Blessed Mother.

I should add that my husband and I are the only former Protestants in our RCIA class; the rest of the class are cradle Catholics who are attending to finish their confirmation or who are attending to deepen their faith. I was concerned because I thought, “Am I wrong in my understanding? Does the Church actually believe Mary could have saved the world?”

I meant no disrespect to the Blessed Virgin, and I trust that she understands that. My understanding is that Mary’s primary role has always been to lead us to her Son.

So my question is this: am I wrong in my understanding of Mary? Or does the Church teach she could have saved the world? If I’m not wrong, then why did everyone look confused and, in two cases, offended and angry?

 

[yellowbird]

Could Mary have saved the world?

Well, since all things are possible with God, He certainly could’ve gone that route and used her instead of His Son - but it seems that would’ve had to have been His plan from the start since Christ was fortold all throughout the Old Test.

This seems like such a silly question though, doesn’t it? I mean, God can do whatever He wants… The fact is, He didn’t use Mary to die on the cross for our Salvation - he used her to be the Mother of Jesus - which IS a big deal all by itself.

PS. And yes, you are correct - Jesus was Mary’s Savior. He saved her in advance.

 

[ologgio]

Could Mary have saved the world?

There is an implied context to your question which needs to be clarified:

Could Mary have saved the world without Christ?
No. We are saved only through Christ.

Could Mary have saved the world by bringing Christ?
Yes. In fact, Vatican II, quoting St. Iraeneus, call her “cause of our salvation” precisely because she brought Christ to the World by saying “yes” to the Father (Lumen Gentium, #56)

In fact, Mary continues to save the world (in Christ) by bringing Christ to us through grace, as she is the mediatrix of all graces (that is, all graces flow through her, but the source of all graces is Our Lord Jesus Christ).

May the Lord bless you and may He continue to inspire you to love Our Lady as He loved Her.

In the Holy Eucharist,
Dcn. Omar

 

[jmcrae]

Mary is without sin (perfectly human, because sin mars us and makes us less human), but she is not God. Only God can save the world.

Jesus didn’t save the world because He was without sin; He saved the world because He was God. Being without sin simply meant that He was also perfectly human.

I pointed out that the Blessed Virgin was sinless because of a special grace given her from God that applied Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to Mary before it happened (as I learned in the Apologetics section), thus keeping her from original sin because of her singular role as the Mother of God. Therefore, she could not have saved the world because she, too, needed a Savior; God’s grace simply applied her salvation prior to her birth.

This is correct.

 

[mlchance]

Jesus didn’t save the world because He was without sin; He saved the world because He was God. Being without sin simply meant that He was also perfectly human.

Christ saves because he is both God and man.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[jmcrae]

Christ saves because he is both God and man.

– Mark L. Chance.

Right - thanks for that!

 

[BSHoop96]

I had a disturbing experience in RCIA yesterday.

Could Mary have saved the world? This question was posed to our RCIA class. Several people (who are already Catholic) said, “Well, she was sinless, so yeah maybe.” I have to admit, this disturbed me, as I have been taught that there is but One Savior - and that is Christ, not Mary.

I pointed out that the Blessed Virgin was sinless because of a special grace given her from God that applied Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to Mary before it happened (as I learned in the Apologetics section), thus keeping her from original sin because of her singular role as the Mother of God. Therefore, she could not have saved the world because she, too, needed a Savior; God’s grace simply applied her salvation prior to her birth. To my concern, several of my fellow RCIA students looked at me with confusion, and two of them glared at me as if I had somehow insulted our Blessed Mother.

I should add that my husband and I are the only former Protestants in our RCIA class; the rest of the class are cradle Catholics who are attending to finish their confirmation or who are attending to deepen their faith. I was concerned because I thought, “Am I wrong in my understanding? Does the Church actually believe Mary could have saved the world?”

I meant no disrespect to the Blessed Virgin, and I trust that she understands that. My understanding is that Mary’s primary role has always been to lead us to her Son.

So my question is this: am I wrong in my understanding of Mary? Or does the Church teach she could have saved the world? If I’m not wrong, then why did everyone look confused and, in two cases, offended and angry?

Perhaps a little frustration that the two converts in the class were more knowledgeable about the teaching of the Church than they?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I had a disturbing experience in RCIA yesterday.

Could Mary have saved the world? This question was posed to our RCIA class. Several people (who are already Catholic) said, “Well, she was sinless, so yeah maybe.” I have to admit, this disturbed me, as I have been taught that there is but One Savior - and that is Christ, not Mary.

I pointed out that the Blessed Virgin was sinless because of a special grace given her from God that applied Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to Mary before it happened (as I learned in the Apologetics section), thus keeping her from original sin because of her singular role as the Mother of God. Therefore, she could not have saved the world because she, too, needed a Savior; God’s grace simply applied her salvation prior to her birth. To my concern, several of my fellow RCIA students looked at me with confusion, and two of them glared at me as if I had somehow insulted our Blessed Mother.

I should add that my husband and I are the only former Protestants in our RCIA class; the rest of the class are cradle Catholics who are attending to finish their confirmation or who are attending to deepen their faith. I was concerned because I thought, “Am I wrong in my understanding? Does the Church actually believe Mary could have saved the world?”

I meant no disrespect to the Blessed Virgin, and I trust that she understands that. My understanding is that Mary’s primary role has always been to lead us to her Son.

So my question is this: am I wrong in my understanding of Mary? Or does the Church teach she could have saved the world? If I’m not wrong, then why did everyone look confused and, in two cases, offended and angry?

Could Mary have saved the world? Simple and absolute answer, NO!

Did Mary participate in the salvation of the world? Yes.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

I had a disturbing experience in RCIA yesterday.

RCIA can be a bit of a test in this regard for all people

Could Mary have saved the world?

As mentioned by another in some context this is a reasonable thought. Often Mary is referred to as the new Eve. Meaning she can be looked at as our spiritual mother

… I have to admit, this disturbed me, as I have been taught that there is but One Savior - and that is Christ, not Mary.

Many protestant religions are increasing their teaching on the role of Mary. However these teach should not conflict your previous teaching

… two of them glared at me as if I had somehow insulted our Blessed Mother.

this is both common and inappropriate

… the rest of the class are cradle Catholics who .

Often worn as some badge of honor? I tell every class " I went to ccd (catholic sunday school for first communion) and all I remember is the play ground." Most will privately tell you they remember about an equal amount

…So my question is this: am I wrong in my understanding of Mary? .

The teachings on Mary are more complex than most realize, so do not worry to much about it now

… why did everyone look confused and, in two cases, offended and angry?

plan on seeing this again and try to dismiss it

I hope that helps

 

[RHC]

Could Mary have saved the world?

There is an implied context to your question which needs to be clarified:

Could Mary have saved the world without Christ?
No. We are saved only through Christ.

Could Mary have saved the world by bringing Christ?
Yes. In fact, Vatican II, quoting St. Iraeneus, call her “cause of our salvation” precisely because she brought Christ to the World by saying “yes” to the Father (Lumen Gentium, #56)

In fact, Mary continues to save the world (in Christ) by bringing Christ to us through grace, as she is the mediatrix of all graces (that is, all graces flow through her, but the source of all graces is Our Lord Jesus Christ).

May the Lord bless you and may He continue to inspire you to love Our Lady as He loved Her.

In the Holy Eucharist,
Dcn. Omar

These are good points. Thanks!

And thanks to the other posters, too. You all brought up things for me to think about.