Share with me what you love about Mary

[JohnStrachan]

I’m very much a minimalist when it comes to Mary. I appreciate her important role in salvation, I just believe we afford Mary too much attention as a mediatrix. The idea of praying to Mary or a saint for a special favor or cause is lost on me. I believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the live and so I don’t have a great longing to develop a relationship with Mary.

I find it a bit odd how Mary is portrayed in art - I don’t believe it does her justice as a middle eastern woman. And her portrayal as meek and mild and innocent and as gentle as a dove is not the best imagery for women. She is often presented as a model for women - though it’s a very unrealistic and unattainable one. Mary - and the Holy Family for that matter - are unrealistic and unattainable. One one hand the church says we should have lots of kids and the example that is given of piety and holiness this that of a single child household. (But that is another matter altogether).

 

[Marshmallow1]

I wasn’t trying to be aggressive. If your post about Jesus didn’t get a lot of traction but this one did, obviously it doesn’t look well so I didn’t want it to lead to a misunderstanding. Not trying to argue just help!

Edit:removed my but in the second sentence and add another sentence

 

[ProdigalDaughter96]

Mary is the reason I started to veil at Mass a few years ago. Which, in turn, caused me to develop a soft spot for the traditional Catholicism my grandparents experienced in the 50s and 60s. Despite me struggling to have a strong relationship with her, it’s comforting that she’s always with me, overjoyed at any efforts I make to get closer to her

 

[humbleseeker]

I’m curious, I’m trying to understand.

Thank you for taking the time to answer and I appreciate your honesty. The reason I was skeptical was your response here:

I don’t begin to understand a Catholic’s devotion to Mary or why you see the need for her. I don’t condemn you for it, but I don’t think it’s right either.

Coming from that premise, this thread seemed a bit dubious. I was worried that you’d take a selection of responses to affirm your suspicions about Catholics and their devotions to Mary as a form of idolatry. But you are correct, all your posts have been respectful of the Catholic faith and I apologize for questioning your motives.

To answer your question I would say I’m in agreement with you in many respects:

Mary is one of those things, if I were ever to become a Catholic I think I’d just leave behind the Marian “devotions”

.

I’m a convert to the Catholic faith, coming from a non-denominational background, and I’ve always struggled with Marian devotions,
like the rosary, that I’ve tried. As a matter of obedience I assent to the doctrines and dogmas of the Catholic Church in regards to Mary, but I do not practice any particular devotions to her. Which is allowable in the Catholic Church, which is both rich and deep enough to allow for all kinds of personal religious forms of expression. To venerate Mary is not necessary to being a faithful Catholic as long as you acknowledge her special role in salvation history and that she always leads those who seek her to a closer relationship with Christ.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Mary is my mother. The more so since my own mother died. Mary has been a family member for as long as I can remember. I love her and so did my parents. My father was a convert from Baptist and Methodist background. He still said Rosary every night. We put a Rosary design on his tombstone.

When people make dismissive or disrespectful comments about Mary, it’s like they spoke badly about my own mother. It makes me unhappy and sometimes angry. But I try to remember Mary is their mother too and loves them.

Lately I’ve been trying to just put more things in her hands. I feel close to her. She never leaves me and always brings me closer to Jesus.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

By the way, I didn’t even see a thread about Christ.
This forum is busy and it’s easy to miss threads.