Statue of Mary - Is it allowed?

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We have statues of St. Joseph with the Baby Jesus, and Mary just to the left of our altar. They are there all the time. During May and Oct. we have another statue of Mary farther to the left by one of the entry doors, which is decorated with flowers. We have a statue of the Sacred Heart just inside the main entrance. This all seems to work out very well.
 
We also have a small (maybe 2-3 ft?) statue of Mary in the sactuary during October and May. The statue is not beside the altar, but off to the side. It stands on a little table and usually has a garland around the head and a vase of roses on the floor in front. It is a nice image to meditate on, but does not distract during the consecration since it is to the side.

While I agree that EWTN is very orthodox and in line with their bishop, I also agree that the rest of us shouldn’t necessarily assume that our parishes should or will do exactly as they do. Depending on the layout at OP’s church, a statue may very well be distracting. I would suggest that the OP see if it is possible to have a Mary statue placed in another location in the church (side chapel, narthex, etc). It is also possible that the church doesn’t own an appropriately sized statue. Perhaps the OP and friends can offer to buy one for the church.
 
I tend to find this iconoclasm a little disheartening. What about older churches with high altars or reredos that include statues of saints? A common sight at older churches are the large crucifix scenes about the tabernacles, with Our Lady and St. Mary and St. John at His feet. They idea that they must be removed in favor of a Bauhaus barren look is … well, wrong.
 
PaixGioiaAmor said:
Contrary to what others have said, a statue of Mary near the altar during mass IS distracting. How can it not be?

Our thoughts during the mass should be focused on the bread and wine becoming the Eucharist - the sacrifice that is taking place, not on devotions to Mary and saints.
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How is a statue of Mary near the altar distracting. Older parishes have them. When you attend Mass there, do you find yourself staring at the side altars during the Consecration?
 
volturno said:
I noticed that on EWTN, they place a statue of Mary near the altar during the months of October and May.

When we asked the “liturgy committee” at our church to place a statue of Our Lady of Fatima during the month of May, we were told that it was not permissable because it would distract our attention away from Jesus.

My question is, is that true? Is there a document that forbids honoring the mother of God by placing her near the altar during the months of May and October?

If so, why do they do it on EWTN?

Thanks. This really has been bothering me. I don’t see why it’s wrong.
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Nope, it’s not true. Check out www.stpetersbasillica.org and look at the floorplan. The papal altar is number 36.

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Look at all those “distractions”! How does the pope have a mass with all those distractions?:eek:
 
When we asked the “liturgy committee” at our church to place a statue of Our Lady of Fatima during the month of May, we were told that it was not permissable because it would distract our attention away from Jesus.
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This sounds like Protestant reasoning. How on earth does a statue of the Blessed Mother take our attention away from Jesus? Mary takes us by the hand and leads us to Christ. It was through her that Christ came, and she guides us to him now.

Debate with this comittee and advise them that we are not Protestants and that devotion to the Virgin is a very honourable thing. Why not remember her during the Mass?

This is ridiculous.
 
PatienceAndLove said:
How is a statue of Mary near the altar distracting. Older parishes have them. When you attend Mass there, do you find yourself staring at the side altars during the Consecration?
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Depends on the layout of the sanctuary.

In my church there IS, in fact, a statue of Mary in the sanctuary; it is placed near the back adjacent to the priest’s chair. This is a different proposition than placing a statue in FRONT and to the side of the altar.

It all depends on the layout and the placement on whether or not it is distracting.
 
PaixGioiaAmor said:
Depends on the layout of the sanctuary.

In my church there IS, in fact, a statue of Mary in the sanctuary; it is placed near the back adjacent to the priest’s chair. This is a different proposition than placing a statue in FRONT and to the side of the altar.

It all depends on the layout and the placement on whether or not it is distracting.
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As someone mentioned prior–if you find a statue of our Lady distracting—it is not the statue that is the problem.
 
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; and so is distraction. If they said that Mary was not allowed anywhere in the church because the statue would be distracting, then they would be over reaching.

If they said it was not proper within the sanctuary, they may or not may be correct, because it may not have a permanent proper place there (I think the OP was taling about it being moved close to the altar for a period of time).

most of the issue gets into a tempest in a tea pot; people get overly exercised about whichever side they take on the issue; and sometimes they all forget that the focus of the Mass is on Christ.

the priest has the final say, and no one is required by faith to either agree with him or like his decision.
 
Walking_Home said:
As someone mentioned prior–if you find a statue of our Lady distracting—it is not the statue that is the problem.
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There are great tenets of our faith that are appropriate to reflect on at different times. It is worthy and venerable to pray to St. Augustine and ponder his service to the Church - but that should not be our focus as the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. Neither should Mary.
 
otjm said:
Because we should be looking at Him, as she was?
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And on that note–removing the statues looks to be—like telling His Mother-- as Her Son hung on the Cross --to step aside and to the back–so we can get a better look.
 
PaixGioiaAmor said:
There are great tenets of our faith that are appropriate to reflect on at different times. It is worthy and venerable to pray to St. Augustine and ponder his service to the Church - but that should not be our focus as the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. Neither should Mary.
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Is this the same woman who said that Communion is not a time for Eucharistic Meditation?
 
Walking_Home said:
And on that note–removing the statues looks to be—like telling His Mother-- as Her Son hung on the Cross --to step aside and to the back–so we can get a better look.
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I don’t recall they were removing the statute; it was a question of how close to the altar it should be… let’s not make the issue into something it is not.
 
We have a thoroughly modern liturgy coordinator, who avoids ante-conciliar practices with vengeful scrupulosity.

We have a statue of Our Lady in the sanctuary all through the month of May and on the Feast of the Assumption since the parish is named for St. Mary of the Assumption. But we don’t have it in October.
 
otjm said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walking_Home
And on that note–removing the statues looks to be—like telling His Mother-- as Her Son hung on the Cross --to step aside and to the back–so we can get a better look.

I don’t recall they were removing the statute; it was a question of how close to the altar it should be… let’s not make the issue into something it is not.
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PaixGioiaAmor said:
Contrary to what others have said, a statue of Mary near the altar during mass IS distracting. How can it not be?

Our thoughts during the mass should be focused on the bread and wine becoming the Eucharist - the sacrifice that is taking place, not on devotions to Mary and saints
Well—when someone finds a statue of our Holy Mother near the Altar distracting–then it follows that said “distraction” is to be removed/pushed aside and to the back, etc.
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mercygate said:
We have a thoroughly modern liturgy coordinator, who avoids ante-conciliar practices with vengeful scrupulosity.

We have a statue of Our Lady in the sanctuary all through the month of May and on the Feast of the Assumption since the parish is named for St. Mary of the Assumption. But we don’t have it in October.
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The notion of May or October being months to honor Mary is purely a tradition of people. It is not promoted in the liturgies of the Church.

That being said, it’s not BAD or WRONG; feel free to say a rosary everynight during October and honor the BVM through special devotions if you see fit. But don’t bring that into Sunday mass.
 
PaixGioiaAmor said:
There are great tenets of our faith that are appropriate to reflect on at different times. It is worthy and venerable to pray to St. Augustine and ponder his service to the Church - but that should not be our focus as the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. Neither should Mary.

Sounds to me as if you have a bit of distaste in your mouth over some Catholic traditions. I’ll tell you something, the only way that Mary would be a distraction or take over in the Mass is

IF YOU LET THAT HAPPEN.
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And believe it or not that is really on you.

Now I know a lot of people like the protestant feel, no statues, no candles, no fancy altars. simple or no vestments, nothing at all, … not even a crucifix any longer in many places…

I say fine, if you like and advocate the spare designs of protestantism great, go for it. But please, don’t come up with some inane objection like a statue will take your mind off of the Mass and be distracting. At least be honest as to why you really object… Please
 
old_altar_boy said:
Sounds to me as if you have a bit of distaste in your mouth over some Catholic traditions. I’ll tell you something, the only way that Mary would be a distraction or take over in the Mass is

IF YOU LET THAT HAPPEN.
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And believe it or not that is really on you.

Now I know a lot of people like the protestant feel, no statues, no candles, no fancy altars. simple or no vestments, nothing at all, … not even a crucifix any longer in many places…

I say fine, if you like and advocate the spare designs of protestantism great, go for it. But please, don’t come up with some inane objection like a statue will take your mind off of the Mass and be distracting. At least be honest as to why you really object… Please

So why not a clown mass?

The only thing that will take your mind off the mass is the thing that you ALLOW to …
 
PaixGioiaAmor said:
So why not a clown mass?

The only thing that will take your mind off the mass is the thing that you ALLOW to …
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How on earth can one compare a statue of the Mother of God --Our Mother–to a blashemous clown mass. The way this is going–the next it would be–Her statue is a “graven image”.
 
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