Catholic Principles and Teachings on
The Blessed Virgin Mary
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
There are a lot of misunderstandings about what Catholic believe regarding the mother of Jesus Christ.
To understand the Catholic Faith regarding the Virgin Mary, it helps to understand these principles:
To understand the Catholic Faith regarding the Virgin Mary, it helps to understand these principles:
- Jesus taught us to call His Heavenly Father "Our Father". that makes Jesus our brother, and His mother our mother. He brings us into His family. We have a relationship with God the Father, and also with Mary, the Lord's mother.
- How is this possible, since she has died? Because we believe in the RESURRECTION. We believe that the departed can and do help us, not only by their example but also by their prayers. They are not dead, they are alive. Biblical examples: Moses and Elijah were with Jesus at His transfiguration. Souls of the dead were raised and seen alive when Jesus died. (Mt 27:53) Jesus said regarding the dead that "all are alive in God" (Luke 20:38) Those who have died and are with God pray for us (Rev 8:3).
- Adoration and worship are for God alone. To adore anything or anyone else is a sin against the First Commandment to have no other gods before God. We do give honor and respect to holy people and holy places and holy things, but we certainly do not worship them.
- To ask someone to help you or to pray for you does not mean that you worship them. We ask each other for prayers and help all the time. Anyone who says, " you should only pray to God" really means "you should only worship God". It is an important Christian practice for us to pray for one another. This relationship of love and prayer between Christians we call the "Communion of Saints". It includes those in this world and in the world to come. We are all united in the Risen Christ. It is not a sin to ask a deceased grandmother or a saint or Mother Mary to look after us and pray for us.
- The official liturgical prayers of the worship of the Catholic Church are directed to the Father, through the Son, and in the Holy Spirit. We only directly ask Mary or other saints to pray for us in the "Litany of the Saints" at baptism and very rarely otherwise. If you attend Mass every Sunday, fest day, and even daily, you will probably never hear a prayer addressed to Mary or a saint.
- All of the holy characteristics and virtues of Mary are also true of the Church as a whole, and also what each one of us is called to be. Mary was chosen by God. He gave her the grace to be immaculate and holy. He lifted up her dignity. She cooperated with the Holy Spirit and with his plan to bring the love of Jesus to others. She shared in the suffering of Christ. She shares now in the resurrection. She cares for all God's children, praying for them and leading them to Christ. All of this is true of the Church as a whole, and it is the calling of each one of us.
- We receive Jesus through Mary. She offered Him to Saint Elizabeth, to St. Joseph, to the Shephards, to the Wise Men, and from the cross, to us all. She presents her Son to us and asks us to receive Him and to love Him.
- From the cross, Jesus gave us His mother to be our mother (John 19). Jesus gave us all that He is and all that He has- His body and blood, His love, His heart, His mother. We know that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." Jesus is also the son of Mary, at the cross, in her heart, and in her trust in God, Mary also so loved the world that she gave us her only begotten son.
Mary is the New Eve
Eve, by her disobedience to God brought sin into the world. Marybrought Jesus, who is Mercy, into the world by her total trust and cooperation with God's holy will. Eve was called to be the mother of all the living. Mary is the mother of Jesus, through whom all was created and in whom we hope for eternal life.
Mary as a model of the Church
Mary in the Bible as a Queen
-Kathy Schiffer, August 22, 2019 – National Catholic Register
Pope Pius XII established Aug. 22 as the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary in 1954; but Mary’s role as queen over the universal Church finds its roots in the Scriptures.
At the Annunciation, the archangel Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would rule forever on the throne of David.
At the Visitation, Elizabeth called Mary the “mother of my Lord.”
The Old Testament foreshadows this queenship of Mary, by teaching us about the honor accorded to the Queen Mother in Israelite society. In his book Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God, theologian Dr. Scott Hahn writes and speaks about the “Queen Mother,” called the “gebirah” in Hebrew. In traditional Jewish life, the “gebirah” occupied a unique and powerful position throughout the history of ancient Israel’s monarchy. When the Queen Mother, or gebirah, entered the room, the king would rise to his feet as a sign of respect; and the king always acceded to his mother’s wishes.
For example, Solomon crowned his mother Bathsheba, the “Queen Mother” who sat at his right side. In all, through Israelite history there are 16 “Queen Mothers.” It is this Queen Mother, who typically ascends to the throne after menopause, who exerts the greatest influence on the king.
In Hebrew culture, even if the king were deposed, even if he died, the Queen Mother would continue to rule from her throne. She played an important role in leading the songs and worship; but she also was the king’s “wisdom counselor,” involved in political, military and economic affairs of court. In fact, ancient records show that in some instances, the Queen Mother even dared to oppose the king on issues of state.
Proverbs 31, the only chapter of the Bible that some believe to be written by a woman, was penned from the perspective of a Queen Mother offering instruction for her son — preparing him to accede to the throne and to select a proper wife.
In 1 Kings 15:13, Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, was an evil queen in the rebellious northern kingdom of Israel. According to Old Testament scholar Fr. Roland DeVoe, one significant cause for the disruption and unrest in the northern kingdom at the time of Jezebel and Ahab was that there was no Queen Mother. The lack of “dynastic stability” — the history of one group being overthrown by another — meant a lack of continuity in the culture.
As was the custom in Israel, Mary was predestined to be the Queen Mother of Jesus. Since Jesus was to be King of all creation, his mother Mary — in dependence on Jesus — was to be his Queen. Since Jesus took his earthly flesh from his mother Mary, it was only fitting that her flesh, too, should have been preserved from the stain of original sin.
Mary was acting in her role of Queen Mother when, at the wedding feast at Cana, she turned to her Son for help — and then when she instructed the steward, “Do whatever He tells you.”
From the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 69:
“Let the entire body of the faithful pour persevering prayer to the Mother of God and Mother of men. Let them implore that she who aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers may now, exalted as she is in heaven above all the saints and angels, intercede with her Son in the fellowship of all the saints. May she do so until all the peoples of the human family, whether they are honored with the name of Christian or whether they still do not know their Savior, are happily gathered together in peace and harmony into the one People of God, for the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity.”
Kathy Schiffer, August 22, 2019 – National Catholic Register
Pope Pius XII established Aug. 22 as the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary in 1954; but Mary’s role as queen over the universal Church finds its roots in the Scriptures.
At the Annunciation, the archangel Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would rule forever on the throne of David.
At the Visitation, Elizabeth called Mary the “mother of my Lord.”
The Old Testament foreshadows this queenship of Mary, by teaching us about the honor accorded to the Queen Mother in Israelite society. In his book Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God, theologian Dr. Scott Hahn writes and speaks about the “Queen Mother,” called the “gebirah” in Hebrew. In traditional Jewish life, the “gebirah” occupied a unique and powerful position throughout the history of ancient Israel’s monarchy. When the Queen Mother, or gebirah, entered the room, the king would rise to his feet as a sign of respect; and the king always acceded to his mother’s wishes.
For example, Solomon crowned his mother Bathsheba, the “Queen Mother” who sat at his right side. In all, through Israelite history there are 16 “Queen Mothers.” It is this Queen Mother, who typically ascends to the throne after menopause, who exerts the greatest influence on the king.
In Hebrew culture, even if the king were deposed, even if he died, the Queen Mother would continue to rule from her throne. She played an important role in leading the songs and worship; but she also was the king’s “wisdom counselor,” involved in political, military and economic affairs of court. In fact, ancient records show that in some instances, the Queen Mother even dared to oppose the king on issues of state.
Proverbs 31, the only chapter of the Bible that some believe to be written by a woman, was penned from the perspective of a Queen Mother offering instruction for her son — preparing him to accede to the throne and to select a proper wife.
In 1 Kings 15:13, Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, was an evil queen in the rebellious northern kingdom of Israel. According to Old Testament scholar Fr. Roland DeVoe, one significant cause for the disruption and unrest in the northern kingdom at the time of Jezebel and Ahab was that there was no Queen Mother. The lack of “dynastic stability” — the history of one group being overthrown by another — meant a lack of continuity in the culture.
As was the custom in Israel, Mary was predestined to be the Queen Mother of Jesus. Since Jesus was to be King of all creation, his mother Mary — in dependence on Jesus — was to be his Queen. Since Jesus took his earthly flesh from his mother Mary, it was only fitting that her flesh, too, should have been preserved from the stain of original sin.
Mary was acting in her role of Queen Mother when, at the wedding feast at Cana, she turned to her Son for help — and then when she instructed the steward, “Do whatever He tells you.”
From the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 69:
“Let the entire body of the faithful pour persevering prayer to the Mother of God and Mother of men. Let them implore that she who aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers may now, exalted as she is in heaven above all the saints and angels, intercede with her Son in the fellowship of all the saints. May she do so until all the peoples of the human family, whether they are honored with the name of Christian or whether they still do not know their Savior, are happily gathered together in peace and harmony into the one People of God, for the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity.”
Kathy Schiffer, August 22, 2019 – National Catholic Register
Mary the mother
Chapel of Our Lady of the Milk located in Bethlehem.
What does it mean to be a "mother"?
A mother gives of her own body to participate with God in bringing life into the world. She nourishes the child in her womb with her very flesh and blood. When the child is born, she continues to nourish it with her love and milk. As the child grows, the mother still has the task of making sure that the child is safe, fed, and loved. She is ordained by God to guide the child through to adulthood. She never stops being a mother. This is true of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She has never stopped being His mother, and ours. When Jesus said, "This is my body which is given up for you," we can rightly remember that He received His precious body from His mother, Mary. She gave her body for Him. He gave His body for us.
A mother gives of her own body to participate with God in bringing life into the world. She nourishes the child in her womb with her very flesh and blood. When the child is born, she continues to nourish it with her love and milk. As the child grows, the mother still has the task of making sure that the child is safe, fed, and loved. She is ordained by God to guide the child through to adulthood. She never stops being a mother. This is true of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She has never stopped being His mother, and ours. When Jesus said, "This is my body which is given up for you," we can rightly remember that He received His precious body from His mother, Mary. She gave her body for Him. He gave His body for us.
Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine, Florida.
Mary, First and Best Disciple
In everything that Mary did, she strove to unite her will to the will of God. She quietly did God's will perfectly.
The Catholic Church has defined four Marian Dogmas:
Mary, The Immaculate Conception
Mary, Mother of God
Mary Ever Virgin
Mary Assumed into Heaven
You may ask, what is a "DOGMA"?
A dogma is a truth revealed by God and declared by the magisterium of the Catholic Church as worthy of being believed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The Church's Magisterium asserts that it exercises the authority it holds from Christ to the fullest extent when it defines dogmas, that is, when it proposes, in a form obliging Catholics to an irrevocable adherence of faith, truths contained in divine Revelation or also when it proposes, in a definitive way, truths having a necessary connection with these." The faithful are only required to accept a teaching as dogma if the Catholic Church clearly and specifically identifies them as dogmas.
A dogma is a truth revealed by God and declared by the magisterium of the Catholic Church as worthy of being believed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The Church's Magisterium asserts that it exercises the authority it holds from Christ to the fullest extent when it defines dogmas, that is, when it proposes, in a form obliging Catholics to an irrevocable adherence of faith, truths contained in divine Revelation or also when it proposes, in a definitive way, truths having a necessary connection with these." The faithful are only required to accept a teaching as dogma if the Catholic Church clearly and specifically identifies them as dogmas.
MARIAN PRAYERS OF DEVOTION
HAIL MARY - AVE MARIA
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From the Gospel of Saint Luke, Chapter 1:
Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee (Angel Gabriel's words to Mary) Blessed are thou amoung women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God (Ellizabeth's words to Mary at the Visitation) Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen (Our word to Mary) |
The "Memorare" ("Remember')
Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother. To thee so I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
Oh, Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my partitions, but in your mercy, hear me and answer me.
Amen
I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother. To thee so I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
Oh, Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my partitions, but in your mercy, hear me and answer me.
Amen
"Sub Tuum Praesidium" ("Under Thy Protection")
(This short and well-known prayer is the oldest known written prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It dates back to the oldest known manuscript (in Greek) from around the year 250 AD)
Under thy protection we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our need, but from all danger deliver us always, Virgin Glorious and Blessed.
The Holy Rosary
The Holy Rosary - The powerful prayer to Our Lady
www.theholyrosary.org/
The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies the awesome story of our salvation. With the Rosary in fact we meditate the mysteries of joy, of sorrow, of glory and of light of Jesus and Mary. It’s a simple prayer, humble so much like Mary.
It’s a prayer we can all say together with Her, the Mother of God. With the Hail Mary we invite Her to pray for us. Our Lady always grants our request. She joins Her prayer to ours.
Therefore it becomes ever more useful, because what Mary asks She always receives, Jesus can never say no to whatever His Mother asks for.
www.theholyrosary.org/
The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies the awesome story of our salvation. With the Rosary in fact we meditate the mysteries of joy, of sorrow, of glory and of light of Jesus and Mary. It’s a simple prayer, humble so much like Mary.
It’s a prayer we can all say together with Her, the Mother of God. With the Hail Mary we invite Her to pray for us. Our Lady always grants our request. She joins Her prayer to ours.
Therefore it becomes ever more useful, because what Mary asks She always receives, Jesus can never say no to whatever His Mother asks for.
the magnificat
The Prayer Of Mary
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
(Lk 1: 46-55)
(in Latin)
Magnificat anima mea Dominum;
Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo,
Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae; ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.
Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus, Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam brachio suo;
Dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles.
Esurientes implevit bonis, et divites dimisit inanes.
Sucepit Israel, puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae, Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semeni ejus in saecula.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
(Lk 1: 46-55)
(in Latin)
Magnificat anima mea Dominum;
Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo,
Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae; ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.
Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus, Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam brachio suo;
Dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles.
Esurientes implevit bonis, et divites dimisit inanes.
Sucepit Israel, puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae, Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semeni ejus in saecula.
MARIAN APPARATIONS
Marian apparitions are special occurrences where the Blessed Virgin has made an appearance of some sort to one or more people for a specific reason. There have been thousands of proclaimed apparitions but only 16 have been approved by the magisterium. There are even apparitions being investigated today.
-GO DEEPER-
Resource Links
Movie time (grab the popcorn)
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We encourage you to spend time with us on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm in McMullan Hall.
We encourage you to spend time with us on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm in McMullan Hall.