mary13[1]

When I began my journey into the Catholic Church, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was an obstacle for me. Not Mary herself, really. It was the teachings that I had received (rather not received) within the Protestant faith. Basically, all I knew about Mary was that she was the mother of Jesus. The Bible doesn’t reveal much about her that is obvious from a cursory literalistic reading.

History and documented traditions that Catholics have practiced since the First Century are vastly more enlightening. Mary has been venerated (honored) and loved since the beginning of Christianity. The writings of the early Church Fathers opened my mind to the love, intercession and patronage of Mother Mary. She was even venerated by Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant faith. Now when I look in the Bible, I see her everywhere.

Mary never detracts us from Jesus. She points us to Jesus. Now I regard Mary as a friend and companion in my walk as a Catholic Christian. She is a powerful intercessor.

The Prayer Of Mary

(The Magnificat)

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”

(Lk 1:46-55)