the Blessed Virgin Mary

[DISUNC]

WOW! Funny thing here...I was raised a Catholic, went throught the ropes school & all, former Altar boy too!
However I must admit I haven't been a church going Catholic for a loooooooong time. But I do still believe in the teachings (not necessarily the laws of the church), and the Holy Trinity!
Anyhow, I always wear my Miraculous medal, which was actually my mothers, given to her by her mother. (side note here -- It was blessed by the Pope @ the Vatican on Easter Sunday 2002). AND I ALWAYS PRAY to Mary...never bothered any other saint.
Never even thought about it until I read this post!

Gotta say, The blessed Virgin has ALWAYS heard me!...well except when I ask for the winning lottery numbers! It will be used for VERY good things...REALLY!

 

[Mercy]

I think Mary was honored to be chosen to be the vessel that brought Jesus into this world. However I do not say prayers to, or ask her to interceed for me. Nor do I pray to the Saints, they are all dead, and I do not pray to dead people.

Scripture is pretty clear that there is only one mediator beteen God and man, and that is Jesus. Jesus is not dead, but alive. He rose from the dead and assended to Heaven. I know Catholics believe Mary was assumed into Heaven as well, but I'm not sure where they get that, certainly not from the Bible.

 

[DISUNC]

I know Catholics believe Mary was assumed into Heaven as well, but I'm not sure where they get that, certainly not from the Bible.

Sr Mary Innunciata!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think Mary was honored to be chosen to be the vessel that brought Jesus into this world. However I do not say prayers to, or ask her to interceed for me. Nor do I pray to the Saints, they are all dead, and I do not pray to dead people.

Scripture is pretty clear that there is only one mediator beteen God and man, and that is Jesus. Jesus is not dead, but alive. He rose from the dead and assended to Heaven. I know Catholics believe Mary was assumed into Heaven as well, but I'm not sure where they get that, certainly not from the Bible.

Yeah, what she said.

 

[helenabear]

I think Mary was honored to be chosen to be the vessel that brought Jesus into this world. However I do not say prayers to, or ask her to interceed for me. Nor do I pray to the Saints, they are all dead, and I do not pray to dead people.

Scripture is pretty clear that there is only one mediator beteen God and man, and that is Jesus. Jesus is not dead, but alive. He rose from the dead and assended to Heaven. I know Catholics believe Mary was assumed into Heaven as well, but I'm not sure where they get that, certainly not from the Bible.

It's funny you put it like that... I believe that the spirit of people exist. I believe if you are in heaven, an alternate form of you exists. I speak to the saints like I speak to any other one of my family who has died. If I ask for their help, I assume they will pray for me. I'm weird but I do believe the dead can pray for me. Part of me wants that to happen since I lost my mom when I was 16 and I still "go to her" for help.

The other weird thing I'll say, is that I don't believe Jesus will take it to God. Jesus is God just in human form. Just like the Holy Spirit is God in another form. Kind of like an apple... Jesus is the skin, Holy Spirit is the "meat" of the apple, and God itself is the core. They are all one and the same.

So scripture says I should ask God to help me, true. I don't believe that anyone can take anything to God in any form other than prayer. If I am having trouble I ask my friends to pray. Same goes for any one else, saint (capitalized or otherwise) or not.

 

[beattyfamily]

Our family loves Mary, the Mother of God. We ask her to pray for us everyday.

I wear my Miraculous Medal along with my Crucifix everyday.

 

[Rella Bella]

I believe Mary can and does intercede for us, whether we ask or not, because her only desire was always to do God's will. And He has asked us to pray without ceasing.

I am very glad for her prayers, and I do ask her to pray frequently. I do not 'worship' her, but I do honor her as the Queen Mother of heaven (as in the mother of the King). My hope in what Jesus did for us contains the hope/belief that when we die we are not 'dead' but enter a new reality. One where we can become wise & effective intercessors for those we love who are still on earth... I believe Mary & the saints intercede for us in this same way.

As for the doctrine of "co-redemtrix". This is a word/doctrine still being debated by Catholics around the world. I remember a few years ago thousands of people who firmly believe this went to Rome to petition Pope John Paul to make it an official doctrine and he did not. Despite the fact that his love/faith in for Mary was a very evident part of his faith.

Regardless what you believe, please remember that the Bible isn't crystal clear on a lot of things... many of us see things one way because of a certain scripture and others of us would see the exact same issue differently because of a different scripture. These things have been argued for generations so we are unlikely to solve them here.

 

[sodaseller]

My personal belief is that it goes againt the first commandment and I choose not to worship her nor pray to her.

I know it goes against my Catholic upbringing (which I no longer follow), but I do not believe it is biblical to condiser Mary as "co-redemptrix".

The Catholic Church does not consider her coRedemptrix either. The promulgation of that doctrine was specifically rejected under JPII

 

[sodaseller]

Hey I like it anytime a woman gets credit- especially in male-dominated organized religion. I thought it was cool that Pope John Paul II was so partial to Mary that he had an "M" for his papal coat of arms.

Not only that but the theme of his Papacy ws was Totuos Tuus - Totally yours

 

[sodaseller]

Born and raised Catholic and I do not believe that she is a co-redemptrix, nor was I taught that in all my schooling. I am 29 if that makes as difference.

I do think it is cool that she is seen as special, because honestly, being the mother of God, she sure is in my eyes.

I don't worship, and I admit I don't even pray to her much. I do believe in praying to saints, but I see it more as asking them to pray for me. If that makes sense. I don't believe the saints will fix it, but will pray for me instead.

Your description of the Saints role is what the Church teaches - we are in communion with them, and they are intercessors. They do not grant any petition in their own power. That is often misunderstood by Protestants

 

[sodaseller]

Mary, the Mother of God ...

Wow, what an honor.

As the Orthodox say Theotokos, God Bearer. And the Veneration of Mary comes from the same place that scripture does - the Tradition of the early Church, inSpired to be sure, but through human agency as well

 

[mrsltg]

Absolutely! I draw a lot of spiritual comfort from the Blessed Mother. I often ask for her prayers but mostly when I'm praying for someone else.

 

[cactus]

She does offer alot of spiritual comfort. Yesterday I went to my local catholic church and cried infront of her statue. I love the VM very much.

 

[snappy]

Mary, the blessed mother of Jesus, is and has been and will continue to be very revered around the world. I think rightly so.

She is also a great role model for mothers everywhere.

I believe we ask Mary to pray for us, as her prayers are very powerful.

 

[ead79]

As a Protestant Christian, Mary the mother of Jesus does not play a huge role in my worship or prayer life. I do often think that she must’ve been a very Godly woman to have been chosen to bear Christ—an indescribably honor indeed. I do not pray for Mary to intercede for me, as I believe that Jesus and the Holy Spirit do that for me to God the Father (Romans 8:26-27, Hebrews 7:25). So while she is not a part of the practicing of my faith, I do see her as a woman blessed by God in an amazing way.

 

[Crankyshank]

I have a special affinity for Mary and while I am far from a devout Catholic, she (and the Saints) is the major part of the Catholic religion that I honor still.

 

[AuntieM03]

As a Protestant Christian, Mary the mother of Jesus does not play a huge role in my worship or prayer life. I do often think that she must’ve been a very Godly woman to have been chosen to bear Christ—an indescribably honor indeed. I do not pray for Mary to intercede for me, as I believe that Jesus and the Holy Spirit do that for me to God the Father (Romans 8:26-27, Hebrews 7:25). So while she is not a part of the practicing of my faith, I do see her as a woman blessed by God in an amazing way.

I feel the same.

 

[luvmydogs]

I don't pray for Mary to intercede on my behalf, but I do look to her for inspiration as a woman and mother. She suffered as deeply as any mother has suffered--watching her child die--and I find her to be a great source of strength from which to draw. I do love her.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

I think Mary was honored to be chosen to be the vessel that brought Jesus into this world. However I do not say prayers to, or ask her to interceed for me. Nor do I pray to the Saints, they are all dead, and I do not pray to dead people.

Scripture is pretty clear that there is only one mediator beteen God and man, and that is Jesus. Jesus is not dead, but alive. He rose from the dead and assended to Heaven. I know Catholics believe Mary was assumed into Heaven as well, but I'm not sure where they get that, certainly not from the Bible.

Wow! - very well said. ITA.

 

[jimmalru80]

She is a major part of my faith and I pray to her daily. It is comforting to me that I know I can pray to her in my times of need.