Why devotion to mary

Therefore, we rightly give special veneration and honor hyperdulia to Mary, and in no way is this adoration or worship. She holds a special place in the heart of the Church and of all believers because she holds a special place in the heart of her Son. Far from being a distraction from God, Mary draws us closer to Him and always points us in the direction of her Son by her faith and example.

She still is today as she was while on earth—the one through whom Christ comes to His people. We want to always have a true and right devotion to Mary so that we may know her and love her as the mother of Jesus and as our spiritual mother. There are two extremes to be avoided.

The most extreme form of Marian excess makes Mary equal to God or claims that she has divine qualities. Not so. She is a creature of God who was in need of salvation like all the rest of us. Devotion to Mary should always bring us closer to Christ and not distract us from Him.

This second form of Marian excess usually happens unintentionally and springs from an overemphasis on her in the spiritual life. Mary should always be a way to a deeper and more profound knowledge and communion with Christ, not a diversion or obstacle. Marian defect is the opposite extreme of Marian excess. Marian defect tends to claim that Mary was just another good disciple of Christ. Jesus is one divine Person with two natures, human and divine, which are absolutely inseparable. Hence, a proper understanding of Mary means a proper understanding of Christ.

Just as addition can never make an infinite sum, so our veneration and devotion to Mary remains simply honor to a creature. When we honor Her we never displease our Lord.

It never interferes our love and devotion to Christ. It is noteworthy to quote what the Church says on this matter: "The maternal duty of Mary toward men in no way obscures or diminishes the unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows His power..

It rests on His mediation, depends upon it and draws all its power from it. In no way does it impede, but rather does it foster the immediate union of the faithful with Christ" Vatican II, Lumen Gentium , Jesus is never envious when we honor His Mother. On the contrary, He wills it. He even expressed it in the Fourth Commandment: "Honor your father and mother. Although we are not worthy of Her motherhood, Christ gave Her to us because He knew very well that we need a mother like Her.

According to Fr. Neubert, S. Mary has given you life, the most real life. In order for us that we may honor Mary as our Mother, Jesus, the Son of God, set an example to follow. He was very obedient to Mary Luke because He was the most loving Son. If to be a Christian means a follower of Christ, then are we not to imitate the love and obedience of Jesus to His Mother? How can we become perfect disciples of Jesus imitating Him in every aspect of His life when we fail to love and obey His Mother?

And this is precisely what Marian devotion consists of, love and obedience. So in the person of Jesus we have that divine example of devotion to Mary. His example must be perfect; and that is, what we ought to follow as Christian. From a very young age, Catholics all over the globe are educated about the importance of prayer and growing close to Jesus.

One way in which we come to a more profound understanding of the person of Jesus Christ and our personal vocation is through the Blessed Mother Mary. It is from this moment on that the Catholic Church esteems Mary with great respect and admiration because she is our mother. The Gospel of John instills another precedent for the love and respect we should have for the Virgin Mary during the wedding at Cana.

My hour has not yet come. This passage shows the amount of respect Jesus has for his mother and how he listens to her requests.