Moment With Betty

Offering veneration to Our Lady is a very ancient practice in the Church. It arises from the recognition of the fact that she is the Mother of God and her exemplary faith, humility and obedience to God’s Will. (Theotokos,) and of the role that Christ gave her in the work of salvation. Our Lady is also our Mother, for this reason, all honour paid to her has always held a clearly Christological meaning – it leads the believer to Christ-https://opusdei.org/en/article/devotion-to-our-lady-2/).

According to one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council, the honour paid to Our Lady, in spite of being so special, is essentially different from the worship offered to the Incarnate Word, the Father and the Holy Spirit. At the same time, honour paid to Our Lady strengthens and supports the worship of God (ibid.). However, irrespective of of all the divine qualities attributed to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the church, some Catholics themselves often forget to honour her therefore, it is not surprising that those who are not Catholics have a completely wrong conception of Catholic devotion to the Mother of God. They imagine why, and sometimes cannot understand the seasons why Catholics treat the Blessed Virgin Mary as a nearly divine being, as if she had some majestic powers of her own. They regard the Assumption of Mary into Heaven as a kind of an elevation placed in the Redemption of the world, that seem to be equal to that of her Son but this we know is completely contrary to the true mind of the Catholic church. These set of people, forget that Mary’s glory is from her nothingness, in the fact of been the ‘’Handmaid of the Lord’’, one who as becoming the mother of the Lord acted simply, in the loving submission to God’s command, in pure obedience of faith.

Mary is blessed not because of any mythical divine privilege but, in all her human and womanly limitations, as one who has believed in the Word of God. It is the faith and fidelity of this humble handmaid, ‘’full of grace’’ that enables her to be the perfect instrument of God. She was God’s instrument to fulfil His work. Therefore, the work that was done in her was purely the work of God thus, in her humility, she said, – ‘’ He that is mighty hath done great things in me’’ (Luke1: 49) – The glory of Mary is purely and simply the glory of God in her and she like anyone else, can say that she has nothing that she has not received from God, through Christ. If we truly understand Mary’s relationship with God and Christ, we should not only honour her but also invoke her intercession. Even though Catholics pray directly to God through the Lord’s prayer, (Our Father—), which they regard as the best and most beautiful of all prayers, they pray also to Mary asking her to intercede for them with her divine Son.

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of God is deep and simple in many ways. As far as it is known, Mary is the mother of every believer because Jesus Himself made it so when He entrusted Mary to His beloved apostle, signifying her spiritual motherhood over all Christians. (John 19:26–27) . Therefore, honouring Mary, is a solid part of the Catholic tradition and a support in the devotion and teachings of the popes, So, honour the Blessed Virgin Mary by saying the Rosary, the Magnificent, The Memorare, Hail Hoy Queen (Salve Regina), on Saturdays. Angelus or Regina Coeli or go on a pilgrimage; visits to Marian shrines like, in Lourdes, Fatima or Guadalupe or any Mariam shrines within your locality. For many Christians, especially Catholics and Orthodox, Mary is a source of comfort, guidance and inspiration, and devotion to her draws the believer closer to Christ, as she always points to Him, saying as she did at the wedding in Cana” Do whatever He tells you’’ (John 2:5)