July 26, 2011 – Catechism 963-970

I have heard some say that Catholics put Mary up at the same level as God. That is not Church teaching. Here are some sources that express the Church’s teaching that are cited in the Catechism Paragraphs.

“62. This maternity of Mary in the order of grace began with the consent which she gave in faith at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, and lasts until The eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this salvific duty, but by her constant intercession continued to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation.(15*) By her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into the happiness of their true home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked by the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediatrix.(16*) This, however, is to be so understood that it neither takes away from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficaciousness of Christ the one Mediator.(17*)

For no creature could ever be counted as equal with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer. Just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways both by the ministers and by the faithful, and as the one goodness of God is really communicated in different ways to His creatures, so also the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source.

The Church does not hesitate to profess this subordinate role of Mary. It knows it through unfailing experience of it and commends it to the hearts of the faithful, so that encouraged by this maternal help they may the more intimately adhere to the Mediator and Redeemer.” (Lumen gentium – Paragraph 62)

Although Catholics put a great deal of emphasis on Mary, that is because she is Christ mother and worthy, because God chose her among all women and her example of obedience to God’s will, there is no teaching that she is a God or on God’s level. One of the many lessons we learn from Mary, from the Wedding at Cana, is that she directs us to “do whatever He tells you”. She points us towards Christ. To honor Mary is to follow Christ example – Christ obeyed the commandments and that includes honor thy father and mother. Would Christ fault you for showing honor to His mother. I think He would applaud you. And in doing so, you would see that she humbly and constantly points you to God.