La Leçon de catéchisme (Catechism Lesson), 1890, by Jules-Alexis Muenier (1863-1942), oil on canvas, Musée des beaux-arts et d’archéologie de Besançon

Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, but do so with gentleness and reverence.”

cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16

catechesis

A daily morsel of Catholic education and faith formation.

Mary

Worship or Veneration?

QUESTION OR COMMON OBJECTION:

The Bible doesn’t say we should “honor Mary.”

CATHOLIC ANSWER:

Sure it does. In Luke’s Gospel Elizabeth declared, “Blessed are you among women.” Mary herself knew she would be honored by future Christians when she said …

… all generations shall call me blessed.”

Luke 1:48

Mary knew that she would be called “blessed” because she carried Jesus, the Savior, in her womb.

Other References: Lk 1:28-30, 1:42-48, Mt 1:20-23

Credit: Friendly Defenders by Ascension Press. Would you like your family to grow in your faith? For a great start, and for excellent, fun, and inspiring educational materials please visit our friends online at: www.AscensionPress.com or www.FriendlyDefenders.com. 

Information herein posted under the "rules of fair use" to foster education and discussion in accordance with Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.

From the author

If you should ever confuse the Catholic understanding of honoring Mary just remember Jesus obeyed the Ten Commandments too – and most especially honored his mother and his father, as we are all called to do. We can also remember the wise words of Saint Maximilian Kolbe who said…

“Never worry about loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You could never love her more than Jesus did.”

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

How true! For more about the Catholic understanding of Mary and the Communion of Saints, please see our blog post Articles of Faith | All Saints Day: A Celebration of God’s Family.

catholic answers

Steve Ray

Made for Glory

catechism of the Catholic Church

For information about what the Catholic Church believes, answers to FAQs, and an encompassing resource addressing common objections and misconceptions non-Catholics and Catholics alike may have about the Church and what it teaches, we invite you to visit the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.