..so is this what you’re saying: “We may have a statue of Mary by our front door. We may put flowers by it, burn incense in front of it or kiss it daily. But it’s not the actual statue that we are adoring. It’s a represenatation of Mary in heaven. And she is who this adoration goes to.” Is this right?
Hi small voice! I hope it's okay I'm answering one of your questions even though it wasn't sent to me. First of all, we do not use the word "adore" in regard to Mary. We admire her, love her, but adore Jesus only! I built a grotto in our back yard, and I sit by it every day, praying various prayers. As Christ's mother, she well knows how to contact her Son, and she passes these "multitude!" of prayers along to Him. I kiss or throw kisses to the statue, because it's a way of showing love to Mary. The one thing I liked most about Mary initially was that she was the only person to ever walk the face of this earth who didn't sin, that wasn't Christ. The fact she is a woman bodes well for the female contingent. I know non-Catholics, by and large, do not believe in the Immaculate Conception (Mary conceived without sin). For that reason, I'll leave this quote:
"We do not first understand in order to believe; we must first believe in order to understand" --St. Augustine.
HI there to you, mlizzy! Thanks for your reply to my post.
The highest form of adoration is Latria. God alone is to be worshipped in this manner.
Hyperdulia is one step below latria worship. It is the highest degree of veneratiotn that can be given to a created being. The Church teaches that Mary alone deserves this honor.
Simple veneration is called Dulia. Saints and angels are to receive this degree of honor by Catholics.
So you are not 'adoring' or 'worshipping' the Virgin Mary as is represented by the statue of Mary by the front door. You are 'hyperduliang' the Virgin Mary as is represented by the statue of Mary by the front door.
Is that right?
But I know that isn't right. No one says they hyperdulia Mary. They say they venerate. But that could be confused with regular saints and angels. They are venerated, also. And so would not be fitting the special place of hyperdulia that Mary alone is given.
Don't you see how confusing this seems? And this is just ONE area of confusion.
ANYWAY, it's good seeing your post, we have found something in common, away from religion, and sometimes that is a GOOD thing! Maranatha! svitw