Quite often when a person attends an inquiry session - like the 2024 Inquirers are now doing, one of the first questions asked is ‘Why do Catholics worship Mary?’ It is always explained to them that Catholics do not worship or adore Mary because only God is worthy of worship and adoration. As Catholics, however, we honor Mary as the Mother of God and for her important role in our salvation and for her acceptance of God’s will.
God the Father honored Mary when he chose her to receive the fullness of divinity to take human form within her. God freed her of original sin from the moment of her conception, including all personal sin throughout her life. This allowed Mary to be the spotless vessel to carry the perfect and divine Son of God.
Jesus, the Son of God honored Mary throughout His life. His first miracle, changing water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana, was at her request. The first disciples and the early Church honored Mary, too. St. Luke wrote of the annunciation, the visitation and the birth of Christ.
There are Marian feasts throughout the Church year. Special “Mary Months” are May, when we celebrate by crowning her Queen of Heaven and Earth; and October when we celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary to honor Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer to the praying of the Rosary by the faithful.
Even though Catholics honor Mary, Jesus is always the center of Catholic faith. When we pray to Mary she leads us to her Son, Our Lord and Savior.
The Fall 2023 Elect, Emily and Promise, and Candidate, Raul, have begun the rites called the Scrutinies. This ritual is “meant to uncover, then heal, all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong and good.” (RCIA, 141). There are three scrutinies: Christ as Living Water; Christ as the Light of the World and Christ as the Resurrection and the Life. More information on these next week in the bulletin!