What's the best way to explain the veneration of Mary to a Protestant?

[Razanir]

For example Catholics NEVER say “Have Mercy On Us” to Mary nor " I ask this in Mary’s name" nor "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and of Mary

Hail Mary, Full of Grace,
the Lord is with thee.

Gabriel’s greeting to her in Luke

Blessed are thou among women,
and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus

Elizabeth’s greeting to her in Luke

Holy Mary, Mother of God

addressing her

Pray for us sinners

NOT praying in Mary’s name, just asking her to pray for us in Heaven

Now and at the hour of our death

In one word– forever

Amen

 

[jatkins29]

With me being a convert can understand this, why can’t my parents? I appreciate everyone’s (name removed by moderator)ut and advice!

My own view is that Jesus recognised the sacrifice and love that His mother Mary bestowed on Him when she conceived Him through the Immaculate Conception.
He also recognised Mary and Joseph for the security and solitude that they provided for Him as part of the family unit.

As well as praying to Mary, I think if we prayed to Joseph that he too could intercede for us with Jesus.

Jesus would never deny either of his earthly parents, I think.

 

[Steveabrous]

“Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces” until you can explain this one, you’ll have a tough time convincing them.

easy. Jesus Christ = all graces.
Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ.
She is the Medium (or method, or vessel) that God used to bring all graces into the world.

Even your stonchist, bible thumping, their church has only been around 100 years, evangelical Chrsitian is going to have a tough time disagreeing with that.

The problem is that no matter how well we explain are side if they have their mind made up they aren’t really going to listen. We can talk till we are blue in the face and it wont make a difference.

I’ve decided I don’t owe them an explaination anymore. I’ve been trying to explain this to my friends and family for 20 years now. And they owe me a few answers. for example:

Instead of me explaining why we have closed communion, they need to explain to me why they through their cookies to anyone who walks in the door? Communion whores! How do you know this person is baptised. She me “open” communion in the bible.

Also were do they get off saying bible alone and not the church authority when the church authority gave us the bible?

 

[aidanbradypop]

My usual defense of praying to saints: You ask people here on Earth to pray for you, right? What’s so different about asking someone in Heaven?

This the exact saying I use. Now whether they want to believe me or not is solely on them. Many will have Scripture in mind waiting to counter my claim, but I cannot control how they react or respond.

 

[jonathan_hili]

I converted to Catholicism in 2008 and ever since my Protestant family accuses me of worshiping Mary which I know is not true. Given that we have so many references and devotions to Mary, what’s the best way of explaining that it is honor and not worship. My family keeps saying there’s only one mediator every time I mention I pray the Rosary or ask Mary to pray for me. I want to defend my faith, but do so in a way that they understand.

Thanks!

Jeremy

I’m not sure, I guess it depends how the person will react to certain suggestions. If they accept the Church Councils of the past, I would point out that Mary was defined as theotokos, God-bearer or Mother of God. If this is true, then we need to look at Mary especially as more than just another saint because of her special relationship with Jesus. And since we believe the saints in Heaven are very much alive, living with God unbelievably full lives, we should expect that Mary still has a special relationship with Jesus because the mother-son relationship hasn’t changed. Praying to Mary, asking for her to intercede for us, is therefore efficacious - as if Jesus would deny the requests of his mother? Indeed, we have the evidence of the wedding at Cana to support this.

 

[jrtrent]

With me being a convert can understand this, why can’t my parents?

It might help to know what kind of Protestant your parents are. In the Anglican church I belong to, Article XXII is pretty specific against the invocation of saints, and this is expanded upon in the homily against the peril of idolatry and the homily concerning prayer. But even though I can’t agree with the practice, I’m able to discern and accept the distinction made by the Roman Catholic church between the worship of God and the reverence paid to Mary.

Even Loraine Boettner, author of what some call the anti-Catholic Bible, said, “The distinction that Rome makes between latria, dulia, and hyperdulia does enable her to maintain officially that she does not teach the “worship” of Mary.” However, John R. Rice’s comment on the matter in a letter to a Roman Catholic priest probably reflects the more common view:

“In actual practice, I well know, and you do, too, that multitudes of Catholics give far more attention to Mary than to Jesus Christ. They bow before shrines of Mary, but you say it is not worship. They adore Mary as ‘Mother of God and Queen of Heaven,’ but you say it is not worship. They make their prayers to Mary, yet you say it is not worship, They ascribe to her the sinless perfection which the Bible gives only to Christ, and yet you say it is not worship. Common people know better . . .”

You may just need to accept that your parents will always believe that Catholics worship Mary, no matter what definitional distinctions are you able to place before them.

 

[neweyes]

The truth is, we do pray to her. Right? I mean, when we address her directly, we are praying to her. When we say “Hail Mary,” it is the highest recognition, much more than a hello.

 

[Miriam1947]

The truth is, we do pray to her. Right? I mean, when we address her directly, we are praying to her. When we say “Hail Mary,” it is the highest recognition, much more than a hello.

And that is a problem because?

Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

youtube.com/watch?v=kUdYeYy3NQA

 

[Miriam1947]

The truth is, we do pray to her. Right? I mean, when we address her directly, we are praying to her. When we say “Hail Mary,” it is the highest recognition, much more than a hello.

And that is a problem because?

Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you. (The angel Gabriel to Mary.) Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. (Elizabeth as her son leaped for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice and at her son Jesus in the womb.)

Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

youtube.com/watch?v=kUdYeYy3NQA

 

[migueltojose]

Do you listen to your mother?

Do sons (good boys) listen to their mothers?

Well then, if you can get her attention, she will get His attention for you.

And she’s human. I know Jesus is both fully human and fully Divine, but she is 100% human and has access to Jesus, the Son of God.

She is uniquely suited for your needs.

We don’t worship her. We pray for her support and intercession with the Divine.

 

[ufamtobie]

I converted to Catholicism in 2008 and ever since my Protestant family accuses me of worshiping Mary which I know is not true. Given that we have so many references and devotions to Mary, what’s the best way of explaining that it is honor and not worship. My family keeps saying there’s only one mediator every time I mention I pray the Rosary or ask Mary to pray for me. I want to defend my faith, but do so in a way that they understand.

Thanks!

Jeremy

Jeremy

Does your protestant family accuse Elizabeth and Baby John of worshiping Mary?

(Luke 1:39-45) And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. 40And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. 41And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.

Here, Elizabeth and the Baby John in her womb sound more like Catholic than Protestants, won’t you agree? Not only Elizabeth and John, sound more like Catholics but also the HOLY SPIRIT, because if you read closely above it was the Holy Spirit in Elizabeth who uttered the praise to Mary. Amen

Tell your Protestant family, this is what we Catholics do and how we praise and venerate Mary Just like Elizabeth, John and above all like the Holy Spirit. Amen

Also, tell your protestant family, was not Mary a mediator between the wedding couple of Cana, and Our Lord. Through this mediating of Mary, the water turning it to wine, was Jesus Christ’s First Miracle.

Also tell your Protestant Family, yes it is true there is one mediator between God and man and that mediator is Jesus Christ, But Between Jesus Christ and man there is Virgin Mary, all the saints to pray and plead for us. Amen

Ufam Tobie

 

[MartinJordan]

Jeremy

Does your protestant family accuse Elizabeth and Baby John of worshiping Mary?

(Luke 1:39-45) And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. 40And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. 41And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.

Here, Elizabeth and the Baby John in her womb sound more like Catholic than Protestants, won’t you agree? Not only Elizabeth and John, sound more like Catholics but also the HOLY SPIRIT, because if you read closely above it was the Holy Spirit in Elizabeth who uttered the praise to Mary. Amen

Tell your Protestant family, this is what we Catholics do and how we praise and venerate Mary Just like Elizabeth, John and above all like the Holy Spirit. Amen

Also, tell your protestant family, was not Mary a mediator between the wedding couple of Cana, and Our Lord. Through this mediating of Mary, the water turning it to wine, was Jesus Christ’s First Miracle.

Also tell your Protestant Family, yes it is true there is one mediator between God and man and that mediator is Jesus Christ, But Between Jesus Christ and man there is Virgin Mary, all the saints to pray and plead for us. Amen

Ufam Tobie

The Holy Spirit praises Mary but through mortal man (woman in this case) such as Elizabeth.

Even Jesus told this Apostles “the Holy Spirit will tell you what to say” and that there is the **Truth.Truth told through mortal man.

** So, Elizabeth tells Mary the **Truth **about her, she is the Mother Of God. Not supreme over God but as close as one can get to God. God the Son from her womb, with blood ties no less!

Thus Veneration to Mary is only to get to her Son who is the Soul Mediator between God and Man.

Peace.

MJ

 

[John_Paul_Jones]

I converted to Catholicism in 2008 and ever since my Protestant family accuses me of worshiping Mary which I know is not true. Given that we have so many references and devotions to Mary, what’s the best way of explaining that it is honor and not worship. My family keeps saying there’s only one mediator every time I mention I pray the Rosary or ask Mary to pray for me. I want to defend my faith, but do so in a way that they understand.

Thanks!

Jeremy

Someone had to tell Jesus about Lazarus, someone had to lower the paralyzed man through the roof before he was cured. Just tell them that Mary is your special someone that brings you to Jesus.

 

[JonNC]

Jeremy

**Does your protestant family accuse Elizabeth and Baby John of worshiping Mary?/**COLOR]

(Luke 1:39-45) And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. 40And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth. 41And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord.

Here, Elizabeth and the Baby John in her womb sound more like Catholic than Protestants, won’t you agree? Not only Elizabeth and John, sound more like Catholics but also the HOLY SPIRIT, because if you read closely above it was the Holy Spirit in Elizabeth who uttered the praise to Mary. Amen

Tell your Protestant family, this is what we Catholics do and how we praise and venerate Mary Just like Elizabeth, John and above all like the Holy Spirit. Amen

Also, tell your protestant family, was not Mary a mediator between the wedding couple of Cana, and Our Lord. Through this mediating of Mary, the water turning it to wine, was Jesus Christ’s First Miracle.

Also tell your Protestant Family, yes it is true there is one mediator between God and man and that mediator is Jesus Christ, But Between Jesus Christ and man there is Virgin Mary, all the saints to pray and plead for us. Amen

Ufam Tobie

Ufam,
We don’t very often agree, but this approach (Elizabeth and Baby John), was pretty darn clever!

I would say, however, that we, too, are intercessors for each other.

Jon

 

[brumano]

Ufam,
We don’t very often agree, but this approach (Elizabeth and Baby John), was pretty darn clever!

I would say, however, that we, too, are intercessors for each other.

Jon

All the more reason(s) to follow the Marian way. Question, if we are intercessors for each other are’nt we praying to each other? Maybe I should have put it this way; if you ask someone to pray for you, didn’t you just pray to them to pray for you?

 

[JonNC]

All the more reason(s) to follow the Marian way. Question, if we are intercessors for each other are’nt we praying to each other? Maybe I should have put it this way; if you ask someone to pray for you, didn’t you just pray to them to pray for you?

You won’t get me to argue against anything you are saying here. As a Lutheran, I recognize that the Blessed Mary and all the saints pray for us, and I regularly ask our Heavenly Father to listen to their prayers on our behalf.

Jon

 

[Bran_Stark]

I use the one mentioned above, as well as “Mom. would you please ask Dad…?”

If Mom thought what I was asking for was reasonable, she would ask Dad.

If she asked Dad, I had a 99.9% chance of getting whatever it was I asked for.

If Mom wasn’t behind it, The odds of getting it were almost nil.

Unlike many Protestants, I have no problem with praying to the Mother of God. However, I am extremely uncomfortable with the above justification for it, since it makes a prayer to Mary sound like a devious way to trick God into doing something He would not ordinarily perform.

Remember, Jesus honored his Mother by performing his first miracle, at her request.

After rebuking her.

 

[brumano]

You won’t get me to argue against anything you are saying here. As a Lutheran, I recognize that the Blessed Mary and all the saints pray for us, and I regularly ask our Heavenly Father to listen to their prayers on our behalf.

Jon

thanks much, I pray thee include me.

 

[JonNC]

thanks much, I pray thee include me.

Will do, my friend.

Jon

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Unlike many Protestants, I have no problem with praying to the Mother of God. However, I am extremely uncomfortable with the above justification for it, since it makes a prayer to Mary sound like a devious way to trick God into doing something He would not ordinarily perform.

I don’t agree with the idea BUT I can see that it could seem that way to a person, and so I see why that approach could be a problem, definitely.

After rebuking her.

Here I don’t agree. I don’t believe Jesus rebuked Mary AT ALL.

The 'Woman" term is a sign of RESPECT, not a sign of Him calling her a name. And He doesn’t just say, “so what does that have to do with me” but rather, “What is that to YOU (Mary) and to me?” --He is asking how it affects both of them, again, showing His respect for her.

She doesn’t come out and say, “Jesus, they have no wine, do something about it”. She says only, “they have no wine”. She notes the situation but doesn’t ask or demand anything from Him.

He says, “what is that to you and to me, My hour is not yet come’ which does not mean that she is trying to get Him started on the road to the cross EARLY, but rather noting that His Blood (which will be offered in the Chalice of Wine) is not yet to be offered. Not that He can’t do a miracle 'NOW”.

And then she just says, “Do what He tells you”. He could have told the people to just go away, He could have said ANYTHING, she wasn’t making Him do anything, she was just saying what she always says of Jesus, "Do what He tells you’. How could Jesus rebuke her for that? It’s what He asks of all of us!