Do Catholics Worship Mary?

Catholic Basics Series (Post #3)

Why do Catholics emphasize Mary so much?

Catholics believe that WORSHIP is due to God ALONE.

Catholics do, however, VENERATE Mary. In other words, we HONOR our Blessed Mother with great reverence and devotion because she is the MOTHER OF GOD.

Mary is the model of perfect love and obedience to Christ. God preserved Mary from sin, and she conceived our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing Christ into our world. Catholics can’t help but honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is full of grace, the Mother of God and our Mother, for her “yes” to God that made the Incarnation possible. And without the Incarnation, we would not have salvation.

Mary is the most beautiful model of total submission to the will of God. Catholics do not view Mary as equal to Christ, but rather venerate Mary because of her relationship to Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it.”


Something to think about:
How can one, especially Non-Catholics/Protestants, love and respect their own human mothers in this world and yet cannot love, honor, venerate or respect God's mother, the one who gave birth to our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Christ whom we worship?

(John 2:3-5)
"And they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the feast had all been used, and the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' Jesus said, 'Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'"

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.


Click here for Blog's Intro to Catholics Basics
http://letterstolukewarmers.blogspot.com/2014/04/basic-catholic-apologetics-101-for-nom.html
Link Resources
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Catholic Pope: Peter's successor? Appointed by Jesus Himself?

Catholic Basics Series (Post#2)

Matthew 16:18 is key to understanding Christ’s intent to pass on the authority to lead the Church to Peter and the apostles. Christ tells Peter that he is the rock on which He will build His church. When Catholics use the term apostolic succession, they are referring to the line of bishops that stretches all the way back to the apostles—to Peter—the first Pope. Apostolic tradition (the authentic teaching of the apostles) was handed from Christ to the apostles, and from them to their successors. This unbroken line of popes (the bishops of Rome) and all other bishops have guided the Church for the past 2,000 years, just as Christ intended (Matthew 28:19-20).  Christ sent His apostles out into the world with authority to teach and heal (Luke 9:1-2) and to forgive sins (John 20:23). This God-given authority is exercised by the bishops within the Catholic Church to this day.

Here's the historical list of Pope from Peter down to current Pope Francis:

1. St. Peter (32-67)
2. St. Linus (67-76)
3. St. Anacletus (Cletus) (76-88)
4. St. Clement I (88-97)
5. St. Evaristus (97-105)
6. St. Alexander I (105-115)
7. St. Sixtus I (115-125) Also called Xystus I
8. St. Telesphorus (125-136)
9. St. Hyginus (136-140)
10. St. Pius I (140-155)
11. St. Anicetus (155-166)
12. St. Soter (166-175)
13. St. Eleutherius (175-189)
14. St. Victor I (189-199)
15. St. Zephyrinus (199-217)
16. St. Callistus I (217-22) Callistus and the following three popes were opposed by St. Hippolytus, antipope (217-236)
17. St. Urban I (222-30)
18. St. Pontain (230-35)
19. St. Anterus (235-36)
20. St. Fabian (236-50)
21. St. Cornelius (251-53) Opposed by Novatian, antipope (251)
22. St. Lucius I (253-54)
23. St. Stephen I (254-257)
24. St. Sixtus II (257-258)
25. St. Dionysius (260-268)
26. St. Felix I (269-274)
27. St. Eutychian (275-283)
28. St. Caius (283-296) Also called Gaius
29. St. Marcellinus (296-304)
30. St. Marcellus I (308-309)
31. St. Eusebius (309 or 310)
32. St. Miltiades (311-14)
33. St. Sylvester I (314-35)
34. St. Marcus (336)
35. St. Julius I (337-52)
36. Liberius (352-66) Opposed by Felix II, antipope (355-365)
37. St. Damasus I (366-83) Opposed by Ursicinus, antipope (366-367)
38. St. Siricius (384-99)
39. St. Anastasius I (399-401)
40. St. Innocent I (401-17)
41. St. Zosimus (417-18)
42. St. Boniface I (418-22) Opposed by Eulalius, antipope (418-419)
43. St. Celestine I (422-32)
44. St. Sixtus III (432-40)
45. St. Leo I (the Great) (440-61)
46. St. Hilarius (461-68)
47. St. Simplicius (468-83)
48. St. Felix III (II) (483-92)
49. St. Gelasius I (492-96)
50. Anastasius II (496-98)
51. St. Symmachus (498-514) Opposed by Laurentius, antipope (498-501)
52. St. Hormisdas (514-23)
53. St. John I (523-26)
54. St. Felix IV (III) (526-30)
55. Boniface II (530-32) Opposed by Dioscorus, antipope (530)
56. John II (533-35)
57. St. Agapetus I (535-36) Also called Agapitus I
58. St. Silverius (536-37)
59. Vigilius (537-55)
60. Pelagius I (556-61)
61. John III (561-74)
62. Benedict I (575-79)
63. Pelagius II (579-90)
64. St. Gregory I (the Great) (590-604)
65. Sabinian (604-606)
66. Boniface III (607)
67. St. Boniface IV (608-15)
68. St. Deusdedit (Adeodatus I) (615-18)
69. Boniface V (619-25)
70. Honorius I (625-38)
71. Severinus (640)
72. John IV (640-42)
73. Theodore I (642-49)
74. St. Martin I (649-55)
75. St. Eugene I (655-57)
76. St. Vitalian (657-72)
77. Adeodatus (II) (672-76)
78. Donus (676-78)
79. St. Agatho (678-81)
80. St. Leo II (682-83)
81. St. Benedict II (684-85)
82. John V (685-86)
83. Conon (686-87)
84. St. Sergius I (687-701) Opposed by Theodore and Paschal, antipopes (687)
85. John VI (701-05)
86. John VII (705-07)
87. Sisinnius (708)
88. Constantine (708-15)
89. St. Gregory II (715-31)
90. St. Gregory III (731-41)
91. St. Zachary (741-52) Stephen II followed Zachary, but because he died before being consecrated, modern lists omit him
92. Stephen III (752-57)
93. St. Paul I (757-67)
94. Stephen IV (767-72) Opposed by Constantine II (767) and Philip (768), antipopes (767)
95. Adrian I (772-95)
96. St. Leo III (795-816)
97. Stephen V (816-17)
98. St. Paschal I (817-24)
99. Eugene II (824-27)
100. Valentine (827)
101. Gregory IV (827-44)
102. Sergius II (844-47) Opposed by John, antipope (855)
103. St. Leo IV (847-55)
104. Benedict III (855-58) Opposed by Anastasius, antipope (855)
105. St. Nicholas I (the Great) (858-67)
106. Adrian II (867-72)
107. John VIII (872-82)
108. Marinus I (882-84)
109. St. Adrian III (884-85)
110. Stephen VI (885-91)
111. Formosus (891-96)
112. Boniface VI (896)
113. Stephen VII (896-97)
114. Romanus (897)
115. Theodore II (897)
116. John IX (898-900)
117. Benedict IV (900-03)
118. Leo V (903) Opposed by Christopher, antipope (903-904)
119. Sergius III (904-11)
120. Anastasius III (911-13)
121. Lando (913-14)
122. John X (914-28)
123. Leo VI (928)
124. Stephen VIII (929-31)
125. John XI (931-35)
126. Leo VII (936-39)
127. Stephen IX (939-42)
128. Marinus II (942-46)
129. Agapetus II (946-55)
130. John XII (955-63)
131. Leo VIII (963-64)
132. Benedict V (964)
133. John XIII (965-72)
134. Benedict VI (973-74)
135. Benedict VII (974-83) Benedict and John XIV were opposed by Boniface VII, antipope (974; 984-985)
136. John XIV (983-84)
137. John XV (985-96)
138. Gregory V (996-99) Opposed by John XVI, antipope (997-998)
139. Sylvester II (999-1003)
140. John XVII (1003)
141. John XVIII (1003-09)
142. Sergius IV (1009-12)
143. Benedict VIII (1012-24) Opposed by Gregory, antipope (1012)
144. John XIX (1024-32)
145. Benedict IX (1032-45) He appears on this list three separate times, because he was twice deposed and restored
146. Sylvester III (1045) Considered by some to be an antipope
147. Benedict IX (1045)
148. Gregory VI (1045-46)
149. Clement II (1046-47)
150. Benedict IX (1047-48)
151. Damasus II (1048)
152. St. Leo IX (1049-54)
153. Victor II (1055-57)
154. Stephen X (1057-58)
155. Nicholas II (1058-61) Opposed by Benedict X, antipope (1058)
156. Alexander II (1061-73) Opposed by Honorius II, antipope (1061-1072)
157. St. Gregory VII (1073-85) Gregory and the following three popes were opposed by Guibert ("Clement III"), antipope (1080-1100)
158. Blessed Victor III (1086-87)
159. Blessed Urban II (1088-99)
160. Paschal II (1099-1118) Opposed by Theodoric (1100), Aleric (1102) and Maginulf ("Sylvester IV", 1105-1111), antipopes (1100)
161. Gelasius II (1118-19) Opposed by Burdin ("Gregory VIII"), antipope (1118)
162. Callistus II (1119-24)
163. Honorius II (1124-30) Opposed by Celestine II, antipope (1124)
164. Innocent II (1130-43) Opposed by Anacletus II (1130-1138) and Gregory Conti ("Victor IV") (1138), antipopes (1138)
165. Celestine II (1143-44)
166. Lucius II (1144-45)
167. Blessed Eugene III (1145-53)
168. Anastasius IV (1153-54)
169. Adrian IV (1154-59)
170. Alexander III (1159-81) Opposed by Octavius ("Victor IV") (1159-1164), Pascal III (1165-1168), Callistus III (1168-1177) and Innocent III (1178-1180), antipopes
171. Lucius III (1181-85)
172. Urban III (1185-87)
173. Gregory VIII (1187)
174. Clement III (1187-91)
175. Celestine III (1191-98)
176. Innocent III (1198-1216)
177. Honorius III (1216-27)
178. Gregory IX (1227-41)
179. Celestine IV (1241)
180. Innocent IV (1243-54)
181. Alexander IV (1254-61)
182. Urban IV (1261-64)
183. Clement IV (1265-68)
184. Blessed Gregory X (1271-76)
185. Blessed Innocent V (1276)
186. Adrian V (1276)
187. John XXI (1276-77)
188. Nicholas III (1277-80)
189. Martin IV (1281-85)
190. Honorius IV (1285-87)
191. Nicholas IV (1288-92)
192. St. Celestine V (1294)
193. Boniface VIII (1294-1303)
194. Blessed Benedict XI (1303-04)
195. Clement V (1305-14)
196. John XXII (1316-34) Opposed by Nicholas V, antipope (1328-1330)
197. Benedict XII (1334-42)
198. Clement VI (1342-52)
199. Innocent VI (1352-62)
200. Blessed Urban V (1362-70)
201. Gregory XI (1370-78)
202. Urban VI (1378-89) Opposed by Robert of Geneva ("Clement VII"), antipope (1378-1394)
203. Boniface IX (1389-1404) Opposed by Robert of Geneva ("Clement VII") (1378-1394), Pedro de Luna ("Benedict XIII") (1394-1417) and Baldassare Cossa ("John XXIII") (1400-1415), antipopes
204. Innocent VII (1404-06) Opposed by Pedro de Luna ("Benedict XIII") (1394-1417) and Baldassare Cossa ("John XXIII") (1400-1415), antipopes
205. Gregory XII (1406-15) Opposed by Pedro de Luna ("Benedict XIII") (1394-1417), Baldassare Cossa ("John XXIII") (1400-1415), and Pietro Philarghi ("Alexander V") (1409-1410), antipopes
206. Martin V (1417-31)
207. Eugene IV (1431-47) Opposed by Amadeus of Savoy ("Felix V"), antipope (1439-1449)
208. Nicholas V (1447-55)
209. Callistus III (1455-58)
210. Pius II (1458-64)
211. Paul II (1464-71)
212. Sixtus IV (1471-84)
213. Innocent VIII (1484-92)
214. Alexander VI (1492-1503)
215. Pius III (1503)
216. Julius II (1503-13)
217. Leo X (1513-21)
218. Adrian VI (1522-23)
219. Clement VII (1523-34)
220. Paul III (1534-49)
221. Julius III (1550-55)
222. Marcellus II (1555)
223. Paul IV (1555-59)
224. Pius IV (1559-65)
225. St. Pius V (1566-72)
226. Gregory XIII (1572-85)
227. Sixtus V (1585-90)
228. Urban VII (1590)
229. Gregory XIV (1590-91)
230. Innocent IX (1591)
231. Clement VIII (1592-1605)
232. Leo XI (1605)
233. Paul V (1605-21)
234. Gregory XV (1621-23)
235. Urban VIII (1623-44)
236. Innocent X (1644-55)
237. Alexander VII (1655-67)
238. Clement IX (1667-69)
239. Clement X (1670-76)
240. Blessed Innocent XI (1676-89)
241. Alexander VIII (1689-91)
242. Innocent XII (1691-1700)
243. Clement XI (1700-21)
244. Innocent XIII (1721-24)
245. Benedict XIII (1724-30)
246. Clement XII (1730-40)
247. Benedict XIV (1740-58)
248. Clement XIII (1758-69)
249. Clement XIV (1769-74)
250. Pius VI (1775-99)
251. Pius VII (1800-23)
252. Leo XII (1823-29)
253. Pius VIII (1829-30)
254. Gregory XVI (1831-46)
255. Blessed Pius IX (1846-78)
256. Leo XIII (1878-1903)
257. St. Pius X (1903-14)
     
258. Benedict XV (1914-22) Biographies of Benedict XV and his successors will be added at a later date
259. Pius XI (1922-39)
260. Pius XII (1939-58)
261. Blessed John XXIII (1958-63)
262. Paul VI (1963-78)
263. John Paul I (1978)
264. Blessed John Paul II (1978-2005)
265. Benedict XVI (2005-2013)
266. Francis (2013—) 

Click here for Blog's Intro to Catholics Basics
http://letterstolukewarmers.blogspot.com/2014/04/basic-catholic-apologetics-101-for-nom.html
Link Resources
http://www.catholicscomehome.org 
Catholic Encyclopedia

Why do Catholics believe the Catholic Church is the one true Church, founded 2,000 years ago by Jesus Christ Himself?

Catholic Basics Series (Post #1) 

The Catholic Church is the only church today that can claim to be the one church founded by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. Other denominations (collectively known as Protestants) can trace their origins back to various human founders at a later date in history (as early as 16th century with the exception of Eastern Orthodox in 1054).

Nice to know stuff:

1. Catholicism is the largest faith community in the world (more than 1.2 billion)
2. The Catholic church is the one that collected and compiled the Bible.
3. For 2,000 years, the Catholic church has fed, clothed, and housed more people in need than any group or institution in history.
4. The Catholic church founded the first school/education system.
5. The Catholic church founded the first hospital/health care system.
6. The church has been the largest benefactor of arts.
7. The church remains the world's premier institutional defender of human rights.
8. Peter is the very first Pope, appointed by Jesus Christ Himself, as shown in Matthew 16:18
9. Evodius was the first Catholic Bishop of Antioch, and he is credited with being the first person to call the followers of Christ, "Christians", as shown in Acts 11:26.

 Something to think about:

Do you know who is the founder of your church?

Some of the more prominent names throughout Christianity history and the church/theology they found are listed below.

• Martin Luther (Lutheran)
• John Calvin (Calvinism)
• John Knox (Presbyterian)
• John Smyth (Baptist)
• John Wesley (Methodist)
• King Henry VIII (Anglican, Episcopal, Church of England)
• Charles Taze Russell (Jehovah's Witness)
• Joseph Smith Jr (Church of Latter Day Saints)
• Bates, E. White, J. White and Andrews (Seventh Day Adventists)

"And so I say to you, you are "Rock", and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)"

Click here for Blog's Intro to Catholics Basics
http://letterstolukewarmers.blogspot.com/2014/04/basic-catholic-apologetics-101-for-nom.html
Link Resources
http://www.catholicscomehome.org 

Basic Catholic Apologetics 101 for NoM-Catholics and Non-Catholics

I believe that Catholics should always go back to the basics if we haven't done so. To simply go back to the basics of our faith--why we practice what we practice, why we believe what we believe--and joyfully share the numerous treasures of our church to other nominal Catholic framily (friends and family) as well as non-Catholics brothers and sisters in Christ.

I believe one of the major reasons why we Catholics are easily turned off or many turned away from the faith and are easily persuaded by others is because we don't know, perhaps don't even care about knowing and learning the faith we grew up with. Then when other religions question us, instead of going back to seek for answers, we ended up questioning the faith along with them. It is like criticizing and judging someone for his actions, without knowing the root cause, the history of it first. We Catholics are also seemingly not very good salesmen and women of faith, either. Plagued with non-Catholic stereotype and secular social stigma don't help.

Fittingly on this ongoing lenten season, I will try to attempt to share to address some very common basic questions non-Catholics as well as nominal Catholic brethren often asked the Catholic Church-- the one, true, apostolic, universal, pioneer, oldest and largest Christian faith in the world (not just founded by some man or woman of an early or modern era who happened to have a different interpretation of the Bible, protested against the church and decidedly form his or her own religion).

First, for those who have little or no idea what "apologetic" means, let us define.  According to the online definition, the word "apologetics" is derived from the Greek word "apologia" which means "to make a defense." It has come to mean defense of the faith. Apologetics covers many areas: who Jesus is, the reliability of the Bible, refuting cults, biblical evidences in the history and archeology, answering objections, etc. In short, it deals with giving reasons for Christianity being the true religion. We are called by God to give an apologia, a defense: "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;" (1 Pet. 3:15).

In my next posts (time willing), I will be sharing a 1-2 minute answers to very common Protestants, Agnostics and other denominations' questions about Mary and the saints, Papacy, confession to priest, infant baptisms, etc. I am not a theologian or a biblical scholar nor I am trying to be, I will only gather and echo historical information, facts and evidences from a few Catholic resources and links about these common questions to shed light on the subjects and maybe occasionally add a few more thoughts regarding these matters. I am also learning along the way. This is also not some kind of a divisive tactic I am writing between Catholics versus Protestants but simply a source of informational awareness about basic Catholicism understanding for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. I am a mere struggling Christian like you learning to love and serve the Lord our God with the help of His grace. As Christians specifically as Catholics, we have a responsibility to know, to learn and to live by our faith why we do what we do. Hope you tune in.

God Is Not For Extra Purpose

© 2003 Excerpt from "I Can Serve": A Community Journal written on 2003, 7th of June

For us trying to lovingly draw our dear friends deeper to God, we may hear these responses:
“I’d rather rest than spend time in church or join a Christian community.”
“I know people from a Christian community who are not good examples. They don’t practice what they preach. They still live in sin. They get angry, they speak bad words, they hurt people. Why should I join?”
“I’m also a member already of a sorority (or a fraternity or a club). They’re all the same as yours. We help the poor, we conduct self-development programs, etc. sometimes even more extensive and financially-organized than Christian communities.”
“I’m ok and happy with my life. Why should I complicate it further by spending on spiritual affairs inconvenient and a waste of my time and schedules. I help out my friends in need better than they do.”

Many of our friends and relatives right now, as I speak, go on living today treating God in two things:
1. That God is just a vending machine. When things, jobs, ambitions or health are failing or are not working, or needs divine intervention, that’s the only time they insert a prayer coin to a heavenly vending machine and ask God for an answered pop soda. They make a deal to God. “Lord, if I make this one, I promise to go to mass, I promise to donate something to charity, etc., etc.” They attend the 40 days novena prior to their set licensure examination; they offer eggs to the Carmelite; they visit the adoration chapel until sunrise. Then when their prayers are answered, they only make a passing or even forget to thank God.

 

2. That God is just an optional extra. Most of the people’s main priorities in life are their work, wealth, vanity, vying for social status, a new cell phone or a new car, travel, leisure and health. In other words, they are concerned first and foremost of their self-fulfillment and God is just a means to that end. And when they had accomplished them, they work on the next task and activity at hand, it's a vicious cycle, never satisfied. Yes, they also pray, they go to mass, they give alms to the poor, perhaps even pray the rosary, do novena, they never killed anyone, never stolen, profess a strict morality, living as upright men and women, honest in work, organized schedules, no vices. They say they are also asking for spiritual enlightenment (only if they feel like it.) “I also consider myself an active Christian, I involved God in my affairs, aren’t I?” They go on living their lives firmly believing it’s enough. “God should be happy with me, I’m doing enough.” “Prayer meetings? Community? Retreat? Been there, done that.” They feel a satisfaction which makes them think of themselves good and just already. “I live a clean simple life, why complicate things?” Life is that simple.*

But True Christians never think he or she loves God enough. True love for that matter, never thinks that it loves its beloved sufficiently.* As St. Augustine beautifully puts it: “The measure of loving God is to love Him without measure.” We cannot go on living life in spiritual paralysis or love God lukewarmly, halfheartedly while holding on to our materialistic priorities and views in life. We should make an effort, love requires struggle. We should persevere for a lifetime. And as what St. Escriva once wrote: "What’s the secret to perseverance? …Love, fall in love and you will never leave Him."

Our entire goal in life is not to work well, to achieve dreams, high hopes and ambitions in life, to find social and material satisfaction, tour the world, to seek leisure or good health for a long prosperous life. And treat God as a genie, a second best in achieving those goals, or even 15th place in our list.
Our end goal in life is "to know, to love and serve the Lord our God," Creator of all these things, things we so tediously work for ourselves to get. He is our first sole priority. Everything else ought to be the means to that end.*

“…The difference between the world’s view of being self-fulfilled and God’s view: The world says we should seek self-fulfillment; pursue it—work at it for our own sake. God says that if we forget ourselves and serve Him, the contentment of self-fulfillment will come as a by-product, without our having to work at it.” (Be Still and Know that I Am God by P.G. Opatz)
Footnote: *Jean Daujat

 

***

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About a word we don't hear much anymore...

Last night, I was watching a movie called "Beautiful Creatures." Towards the end of the movie, there was this scene showing an actor playing a Reverend/Pastor preaching in the pulpit. He was talking about a message that somehow reminds me of the same that most of our friends hardly ever examine or reconsider before saying "No" and walk away to tend to something else whenever the invitation arise to spend and commit more quality time for God whether through Christian-related gatherings or furthering one's Christian faith.

"I don't want to preach today. Instead I just wanna talk to you. About a word we don't hear much anymore: "Sacrifice." It's not what I would call a modern word. People hear the word "sacrifice," and they become afraid that something will be taken away from them or that they will have to give up something they couldn't live without. "Sacrifice," to them, means "Loss". In a world telling us we could have it all."

"But I believe true sacrifice is a victory. That's because it requires our free will. To give up something for someone you love, or something or someone you love more than yourself. I won't lie to you. It's a gamble. Sacrifice wont take away pain and loss, but it wins the battle against bitterness, the bitterness that dims the light on all of the true value in our lives."

Everyday we sacrifice our time working so hard for our family, for ourselves, for our future. We sacrifice our time willingly to socialize with family and friends. But when it comes to sacrificing our time for God, hardly anyone ever wants to give up their personal and family minute. They are just contended, unfortunately, with mediocrity when it comes to practicing their Christian faith. If asked the common cliche what is our highest priority in life, we are quick to answer "God first" of course above our family, above our work, above all else. But our lifestyle says otherwise.

I believe the video clip above is a good thought for us to ponder and examine our conscience before we start thinking about an array of excuses over again in our head next time another chance pass us by, whether be it an invitation to retreats, Christian courses or prayer meetings to grow deeply in faith and practice it daily in life. Will you sacrifice a little more of your time for God? Do we mean it when we say "God first" in our life? Nobody says it's going to be easy. Take it from committed Christians who are often mocked as "overly zealous, arrogant and bigoted, hypocritical, religious nuts". But love entails effort, love entails sacrifice. We owe Him our time, our work and family in the first place. Thus, He requires in us something more.

(Luke 9:61, 62, 58)

'"As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.... Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."'