Author Topic: Catholics DO Worship Our Lady (Read 1138 times)

Jamie · « **on:** January 12, 2010, 05:55:52 PM »

Quite often we see Catholics (novus ordo AND traditional) who argue that we don't worship Mary but rather give reverence to her. This is mostly to argue against protestants who call us idolators. But, the fact is, we DO worship Mary. The problem is - what sort of worship is forbidden by the first commandment? Here is the answer:

Latria: this is the form of worship which is highest - it is adoration and is given to God alone. To offer latria to anything but God is a sin against the first commandment. This is what we do when we bow down before the blessed sacrament.

Hyperdulia: this is the second highest form of worship and it is given to Our Lady only. It is the special reverence we hold for her as the highest of saints.

Dulia: this is the form of worship given to the saints, statues, icons, and humans (by humans I mean the worship given to a King, etc). Dulia is veneration due to excellence of a created being.

So all three things are worship - we do worship Our Lady, we do worship the saints and angels, we do worship rightful Kings, but we only worship God with adoration due to Him alone. To offer the type of adoration we must give God to a created thing is idolatry.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2010, 06:04:00 PM »

You just have to be careful in that "worship" is a broad, imprecise term in English, unlike the very exact technical terms cited in the Greek. When Protestants accuse Catholics of worshipping Mary, they use it in the sense of LATRIA. So in dealing with Protestants, ask them to DEFINE what they mean by "worship".

You'll notice that the HYPERDULIA for Our Lady actually means a SUPER DULIA (hyper in Greek means above or beyond). So it's related to the DULIA or reverence given to saints, except that it's a heightened or super form of the same. God has a special word reserved to Him alone, LATRIA.

CM · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2010, 06:04:19 PM »

Yes indeed. I would avoid using the word "worship" when talking to Protestants and other devil worshippers though, since they often attach themselves to buzz words.

Call it "honour" and you'll get further with such people, in my opinion.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2010, 06:06:47 PM »

Yeah, Protestants would have a field day if you expressed the sentiments in your thread title. Good look trying to make "distinctions" in terms of kind of worship, for Protestants are not big on making logical distinctions. IMO, their intellects have been dulled by their resistance to the truth.

I typically make the point that Catholics reserve certain words and actions to God alone.

littlerose · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2010, 06:17:20 PM »

Thank you Jamie. I try to avoid Aplogetics with Protestants because that is dangerous territory for the average layperson, and Catholics traditionally favor relational and prayerful tactics over apologetics for conversion, but having the right terms helps.

I have in fact set some more modern prayers aside because they confuse me with their worshipful attitudes (for example, I am not comfortable calling Our Lady the "co-redemptrix" and I don't remember running into that term in my Catholic childhood and adolescence), but your explanation puts it into better perspective.

oldavid · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2010, 11:42:37 PM »

Yes! Well put Jamie! Thanks for that.
I can't see if the stars on your flag are red or white or how many there are..... Kiwassie perhaps?

Jamie · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2010, 11:47:09 PM »

Quote from: oldavid

Yes! Well put Jamie! Thanks for that.
I can't see if the stars on your flag are red or white or how many there are..... Kiwassie perhaps?

Kiwi :) Four red stars.

oldavid · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2010, 12:05:40 AM »

Quote from: littlerose

I have in fact set some more modern prayers aside because they confuse me with their worshipful attitudes (for example, I am not comfortable calling Our Lady the "co-redemptrix" and I don't remember running into that term in my Catholic childhood and adolescence), but your explanation puts it into better perspective.

"Co-redemptrix" is a term that went out with Vat II's "reconcilliation" with protestantism. It is an entirely Catholic notion in as much as Our Lady's cooperation with Redemption is second only to Our Lord's. She co-operated in the Redemption at enormous cost of suffering to Herself.
We are all called to be "coredeemers" in that we are all called to unite our sufferings with Our Lord for the redemption of souls. If you don't want to believe me ask St. Therese....Little Flower....(no thorns).

CM · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2010, 12:28:46 AM »

Co-redemptrix is an orthodox title that some people take to heretical conclusions.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:13:03 AM »

Co- meaning "with" actually implies a degree of subordination, as in our term "Co-Pilot". We don't call Our Lady Redemptrix.

CM · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2010, 06:17:38 AM »

Right. She was a subordinate to Christ in His work, while performing a completely different albeit unique role.