Venerating Statues

[bibleberean]

Mary Worship?

A Study of Catholic Practice and Doctrine

Mary Ann Collins
(A Former Catholic Nun)

June 2001

http://www.catholicconcerns.com/MaryWorship.html


"After years of no longer being a Catholic, I attended a Catholic funeral. When I went into the church something hit me hard. It had always been there, but I had never noticed it before because I was used to it. There were statues of Mary and the saints. They looked solid, real, as if they represented people of power. Jesus only appeared as a helpless baby in Mary’s arms, as a dead man nailed to a cross, and as little wafers of bread hidden inside a fancy box. Visually and emotionally the message was very clear -- if you want real power, if you want someone who can do something for you, then go to Mary and the Saints.

DEVOTION TO MARY


If you want to see what a person's real priorities are, then watch what they do when their life, or the life of a loved one, is in danger. When Pope John Paul II was shot, while the ambulance was rushing him to the hospital, the Pope was not praying to God or calling on the name of Jesus. He kept saying, over and over: "Mary, my mother!" Polish pilgrims placed a picture of Our Lady of Czestochowa on the throne where the Pope normally sat. People gathered around the picture. Vatican loudspeakers broadcasted the prayers of the rosary. When the Pope recovered, he gave Mary all the glory for saving his life, and he made a pilgrimage to Fatima to publicly thank her. (Note 4)
Jesus said, "[W]here your treasure is there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:34) Some statues of Mary have real crowns made of gold. The web sites listed in the Notes show pictures of statues of Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes wearing crowns. (Note 5) The statues in the pictures are replicas, and their crowns are ceramic and painted gold. But the crowns on the original statues at Fatima and Lourdes are real crowns made of real gold.

Vast sums of money are spent on some special statues of Mary. For example, the statue of Our Lady of the Pillar in Saragossa, Spain has a crown made of 25 pounds of gold and diamonds, with so many diamonds that you can hardly see the gold. In addition, it has six other crowns of gold, diamonds and emeralds. It has 365 mantles which are embroidered with gold and covered with roses of diamonds and other precious stones. It has 365 necklaces made of pearls and diamonds, and six chains of gold set with diamonds. (Note 6)

In Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, preparations are underway to construct a huge statue of Our Lady of the Rosary. Inside the base of the statue there will be chapels, conference rooms, apartments, a food court, and radio and TV stations. There will also be observation decks. This statue will be part of a 500-acre "Mystical City" complex. According to an article in "Caribbean Business," this statue "will top at 1,500 feet". According to an article by the Associated Press, the statue will be 305 feet high. (Note 7) The discrepancy in numbers can be explained by looking at the Statue of Liberty, which is a 151 foot statue on top of a 154 foot base. Some sources say that the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet high (which includes the height of the base) and some say that it is 151 feet high (which is the height of the actual statue). What we probably have in Sabana Grande is a 305 foot statue with a 1,200 foot base.

I have personally participated in American processions which honored Mary. We walked through the streets following a statue of Mary which was carried on a platform, high up where it was clearly visible. We sang songs in Mary’s honor. We prayed rosaries and other prayers to her. These were small processions. At Fatima, Portugal, crowds of over a million people gather on the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima. The celebration includes a procession of a million people following a statue of Mary and singing her praises. (Note 8)

One popular prayer in Mary’s honor is the "Hail Holy Queen," which is known in Latin as the "Salve Regina". It is traditionally included as part of praying the rosary."

I am not waiting for Mary the Catholic goddess but for my Saviour Jesus Christ!

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

 

[stray bullet]

Mary is not a Catholic goddess. Mary is a woman, the mother of Jesus, but still a woman. God is the Trinity, which exists as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Mary has no part of that. Catholic say "One God, forever and ever".

Bibleberean, what you are doing right now is bearing false witness. You are actually lying about Catholics. As a Christian, you should not being doing this.

 

[bibleberean]

"Psalm 148:13 says, "Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven." This makes it quite clear that only God’s name (not Mary’s) is to be exalted."

...Receive, O most sweet Mother, our humble supplications, and above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altars: You are all-beautiful, O Mary! You are the glory, your are the joy, your are the honor of our people!Amen.

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
(Pontiff 1939-1958)
Blessed Art Thou: A Treasury of Marian Prayers and Devotions / Richard J. Beyer Imprint Notre Dame, IN : Ave Maria Press, c1996, BX2160.2 B46 1996, p. 134-135.

The Catholic defense. "But... this isn't worship"

Right! And the Pope isn't Catholic! :roll:

 

[bibleberean]

"Psalm 148:13 says, "Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven." This makes it quite clear that only God’s name (not Mary’s) is to be exalted."

...Receive, O most sweet Mother, our humble supplications, and above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altars: You are all-beautiful, O Mary! You are the glory, your are the joy, your are the honor of our people!Amen.

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
(Pontiff 1939-1958)
Blessed Art Thou: A Treasury of Marian Prayers and Devotions / Richard J. Beyer Imprint Notre Dame, IN : Ave Maria Press, c1996, BX2160.2 B46 1996, p. 134-135.

The Catholic defense. "But... this isn't worship"

Right! And the Pope isn't Catholic! :roll:

 

[bibleberean]

http://www.catholicconcerns.com/MaryWorship.html

"According to Jesus, Scripture is the plumb line for measuring everything else. He judged religious traditions by comparing them to Scripture. When religious traditions contradicted Scripture, he condemned them. This shows clearly that nothing is equal in authority to Scripture. The Bible stands alone as the standard by which all other things are to be judged.

"Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." (Mark 7:1-13)"

According to the official teaching of the Catholic Church, Catholic men and women are not allowed to believe what they read in the Bible without checking it out with the Catholic Church. They are required to find out how the bishops of the Church interpret a passage and they are to accept what the bishops teach as if it came from Jesus Christ Himself. They are not allowed to use their own judgment or follow their own conscience. They are required to believe whatever the bishops teach without questioning it. ("Catechism" 85, 87, 100, 862, 891, 939, 2034, 2037, 2041, 2050)

The Catholic Church teaches that when the bishops officially teach doctrine relating to faith and morals, then God supernaturally prevents them from making any errors. This is called "infallibility". It applies to official councils, such as the Second Vatican Council. It also applies to other teachings, as long as the bishops and the Pope are in agreement about them. ("Catechism" 890, 891, 939, 2033, 2034, 2049)

The Pope is said to be infallible whenever he makes an official decree on matters of faith and morals. According to Catholic doctrine, it is impossible for the Pope to teach false doctrine. Catholics are expected to obey the Pope without question even when he is not making an "infallible" statement about doctrine. They are expected to submit their wills and minds to the Pope without question. ("Catechism" 892, 2037, 2050)

The bible is second to RCC tradition. It is not looked upon as God's word. Catholic salvation is in their unholy church and it curses all those who disagree with her. She is truly an antichrist and a spiritual whore.

"... that by means of the images which we kiss and before which we uncover the head and prostate ourselves, we adore Christ and venerate the saints whose likeness they bear .... great profit is derived from all holy images, not only because the people are thereby reminded of the benefits and gifts bestowed on them by Christ, but also because through the saints the miracles of God and salutary examples are set before the eyes of the faithful, so that they may give God thanks for those things, may fashion their own and conduct in imitation of the saints and be moved to adore and love God and cultivate piety. But if anyone should teach or maintain anything contrary to these decrees, let him be anathema."

(H. J. Schroeder, O. P., The Canons And Decrees Of The Council Of Trent, Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1978, p. 216)

To the pit with Catholic Anathema's and it's lying Canons and Decrees!





[/quote]

 

[AwedbyGod]

The Protestant aplogetic: 'It is true because *I* say so. Facts be damned."

Right! And your posts aren't moronic. :roll:

The Catholic defense. "But... this isn't worship"

Right! And the Pope isn't Catholic! :roll:

 

[stray bullet]

The Catholic defense. "But... this isn't worship"

Right! And the Pope isn't Catholic! :roll:

Mary isn't a deity, bibleberean.

 

[stray bullet]

The Pope is said to be infallible whenever he makes an official decree on matters of faith and morals. According to Catholic doctrine, it is impossible for the Pope to teach false doctrine. Catholics are expected to obey the Pope without question even when he is not making an "infallible" statement about doctrine. They are expected to submit their wills and minds to the Pope without question. ("Catechism" 892, 2037, 2050)

Yet, you do the same thing with Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, James, Jude?

The bible is second to RCC tradition.

Now you are bearing false witness again. That is not true.
The bible is from God and is consider infallible, authorative.

It is not looked upon as God's word.

That is a lie. The Church teaches that the bible is God's infallible word.


Why do you lie about the Catholic Church?

 

[bibleberean]

The Protestant aplogetic: 'It is true because *I* say so. Facts be damned."

Right! And your posts aren't moronic. :roll:

The Catholic defense. "But... this isn't worship"

Right! And the Pope isn't Catholic! :roll:

My posts contain scripture, Catholic prayers by Popes, The Roman Catholic Cathechism, Quotes from the Council of Trent etc.

What you do with it or choose to believe is up to you. 8-)

 

[stray bullet]

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

81 "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit."[42]

 

[stray bullet]

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

81 "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit."[42]

Would you say you agreed with this, bibleberean?

 

[bibleberean]

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

81 "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit."[42]

Vatican Council II printed by Costello Publishing Co., Northport, New York. Austin Flannery, O. P., is the general editor and each volume contains the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur. The editions are: 1984 (Vol. 1) and 1982 (Vol. 2).



"But the task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone." (Vol. 1, p. 755)

"But by divine institution it is the exclusive task of these pastors alone, the successors of Peter and the other Apostles, to teach the faithful authentically, that is with the authority of Christ ...." (Vol. 2, p. 430)

 

[stray bullet]

What does the bible say about personal interpretation of the bible?!

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." - 2 Peter 1:20

Tell me, where does the bible say that scripture may be privately interpreted?

I follow the apostles and their successors, not private interpretation.

 

[stray bullet]

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

81 "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit."[42]

Vatican Council II printed by Costello Publishing Co., Northport, New York. Austin Flannery, O. P., is the general editor and each volume contains the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur. The editions are: 1984 (Vol. 1) and 1982 (Vol. 2).



"But the task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone." (Vol. 1, p. 755)

"But by divine institution it is the exclusive task of these pastors alone, the successors of Peter and the other Apostles, to teach the faithful authentically, that is with the authority of Christ ...." (Vol. 2, p. 430)

What does this have to do with you saying that the Catholic Church does not say the bible is the word of God?

Here's what you said:
"The bible is second to RCC tradition. It is not looked upon as God's word."

Here is what the Church says:
81 "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit."[42]

It would seem you were incorrect.

 

[bibleberean]

What does the bible say about personal interpretation of the bible?!

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." - 2 Peter 1:20

Tell me, where does the bible say that scripture may be privately interpreted?

I follow the apostles and their successors, not private interpretation.

I will stick with the apostles doctrine not with the false antichrist apostles of the Roman Harlot.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The "Pope" is not mentioned in the bible and neither is the fashioning of dead saints with the intent of bowing down before them and praying to these unholy icons.

To the pit with these fasle teachers and Papal liars.

Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

 

[bibleberean]

This is not found in the bible and yet it is a Catholic tradition.

Catholics claim that tradition and the bible are equal but that is clearly not the case.

Tradition

scripture

 

[stray bullet]

No, the bible and Catholic tradition are not considered equal.

The bible and HOLY Tradition are, however. Tradition being the teachings of Christianity, inspired by God, before it was written down in scripture.

 

[bibleberean]

No, the bible and Catholic tradition are not considered equal.

The bible and HOLY Tradition are, however. Tradition being the teachings of Christianity, inspired by God, before it was written down in scripture.

The Catholic tradition is unholy and unclean... It is the doctrine of devils...

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

The spirit which hovers over the shrines and groves of the devil goddess are evil.

"WHOSOEVER DIES CLOTHED

IN THIS (SCAPULAR) SHALL NOT

SUFFER ETERNAL FIRE."

This is the Blessed Virgin Mary's PROMISE,

made July 16, 1251, to St. Simon Stock.

 

[stray bullet]

That's not Tradition, bibleberean.

What amazes me is how you reject anything the Church teaches, but will believe anything you read on an internet site and quote it, so long as it is anti-Catholic.

 

[bibleberean]

That's not Tradition, bibleberean.

What amazes me is how you reject anything the Church teaches, but will believe anything you read on an internet site and quote it, so long as it is anti-Catholic.

http://members.tripod.com/~LaPieta/scap_lar.html

All I did was quote a Catholic source! :o

This is not anti-Catholic. It is from a Catholic website... :

The Value of the Scapular

http://www.fatimaonline.org/html/brown_scapular.htm

"Our Lord taught us to say the "Our Father." Mary taught us the value of the Scapular. When we use it as a prayer, Our Lady draws us to the Sacred Heart of her Divine Son. It is well, therefore, to HOLD THE SCAPULAR IN THE HAND while addressing Our Lady. A prayer uttered thus, while holding the mystical Scapular, is as perfect as a prayer can be. It is especially in TIME OF TEMPTATION that we need the powerful intercession of God's Mother. The evil spirit is utterly powerless when a Scapular-wearer, besides his silent devotion, faces temptation calling upon Mary. "If thou hadst recommended thyself to me, thou wouldst not have run into danger," was Our Lady's gentle reproach to Blessed Alan de la Roche."

***Pope Benedict XV granted a partial indulgence EACH TIME the Scapular is kissed.***

Brown Scapular Devotion

"The brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the most popular devotion involving wearing of a scapular in the Catholic Church today. In the Middle Ages, a scapular was a full-length garment (apron) worn over other clothing by monks and nuns, the color signifying the particular religious order. The brown scapular was revealed to St. Simon Stock, the Prior General of the Carmelite order in 1247. The Virgin Mary appeared to him and gave him the scapular and associated promises as a result of his pledge of complete loyalty to her (known as a privilegium). The smaller version of the scapular is worn by lay associates.

Saints and popes throughout the ages have worn and encouraged wearing of the brown scapular, and many miraculous events have attested to the value of the sacramental (the scapular worn by Blessed Pope Gregory X, who died in 1276, was found intact in 1830)."

Don't accuse me of believing "anything anti Catholic" when I quote directly from Catholic sources....