Posted on 02/04/2013 4:33:22 PM PST by Alex Murphy
La Paz, Bolivia, Feb 4, 2013 / 12:09 pm (CNA).- The largest statue of the Virgin Mary in the world, dedicated to Our Lady of Socavon, was inaugurated at a Feb. 1 ceremony in the city of Oruro, Bolivia.
Rolando Rocha, the lead sculptor for the project, told reporters that more than simply “a work of engineering and art,” the monument “is an act of faith that strengthens our traditions.”
Towering at 149 feet, the statue is located on a 12,000-foot mountain south of La Paz, the country’s second largest city. It stands 22 feet taller than the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The statue’s unveiling ceremony was attended by both Bolivian president Evo Morales and Oruro mayor Rossio Pimentel.
Our Lady of Socavon is the patroness of miners. The original statue is kept at the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Socavon in the city of Oruro.
The presentation of the $1.2 million statue also marked the beginning of Carnaval in Orugo. The city’s festival is the only Carnaval celebration that includes a dance in honor of the Virgin Mary.
As residents of Oruro prepared for the annual candlelight procession to the Shrine of Socavon, Bishop Cristobal Bialasik issued a letter inviting those along the procession route to decorate their homes with sacred images and to listen to the diocesan broadcast of the event.
The closing procession, which took place on the evening of Feb. 3, featured nearly 50 dancers making their way to the shrine, where they asked the Virgin Mary for her intercession.
Could you provide a Scriptural reference for that description?
We are all called to be lights of the world. “The Blessed Mother” as God’s messenger called her, is in spirit, fighting the good fight. She is the Ark of the Covenant, as prophecized in the Old Testament. Before you go on a rant, bad mouthing the woman that God chose to be our savior’s mother, please have a conversation with God and ask for His enlightenment and that of others.
She is our role model of a woman. A reminder that sacrifice, humility, and obedience to God, is what we are called to do. In an age where girls are sexualized by 10, and women are all about me, it is a very necessary gift from God, don’t you think?
That's rather mean spirited for a self-professed Christian. Where have I shown any inclination to do that?
I apologize, I didn’t mean it in a mean spirited way. I have simply seen too many, probably well intentioned people, say very disrespectful things about Jesus’ mother in order to prove their point. I simply pray for them (sometimes), because I know that quarreling and ugly discourse, in God’s name would be offensive to Him. I decided I would simply ask other Christians to pray as well, because that it what we are called to do, and avoid needless bickering. You would be surprised how some “Christians” feel perfectly entitled to get UGLY when it comes to Catholics. They seem to think Mary is an idol that needs to be bashed? To me it is sadly disrespectful to God and I try to avoid those situations. Sorry.
Thx for that.:-)
That is exactly my point. Jesus honored his mother before death by asking a friend to make sure she was taken care of (my understanding of a Jewish 'first born' responsibility). But he was quite clear that he was all about his father's business, he only did what he saw the father do and only said what he heard the father say.
The bible talks about those that 'stick closer than a brother' - it doesn't surprise me that he gave the charge of his mother's care to his closest friend. I am not sure what his culture/tradition dictates. And her presence in the upper room - I believe she was there as a follower of Jesus, one of 120 in need of a savior, and following the teaching of the master to wait upon the holy spirit. To my knowledge, none of the 120 she was with wrote anything outlining any special treatment for her.
Sure. The 12th chapter of Revelation. And the verse immediately preceding it (Rev 11:19) which refers to the ark of the covenant, which is the Catholic view of Mary. The 12th chapter shows us Mary as mother of Christ and symbol of the church. We see her crowned as queen mother (1 Kg 2:19) of the royal son (Ps 2:9; Hb 1:8). We read in the last verse that she is mother of all who keep God's commandments and bear testimony to Jesus.
Then it was clearly his Father's will that the 12 year old Jesus, about his Father's work in the temple, return home with his earthly parents in obedience. If Jesus' willingness to submit to human parents isn't "special treatment" recorded in writing, I'm not sure what is!
To my knowledge, none of the 120 she was with wrote anything outlining any special treatment for her.
Most of those 120 probably didn't write ANYTHING since teaching at that time was for the most part transmitted orally. Even so, there is enough written to see that Mary had a special place in God's plan and Jesus himself revered her for it.
First, God didn't need a human parent but CHOSE to come to us this way. Second, as I noted above, we see Jesus honoring Mary with obedience. Third, we see Jesus honoring her request at a wedding despite his differing opinion. Fourth, we see Jesus providing for her in his agony. Surely he could have made arrangements before his death. But he chose to honor John the beloved with his most cherished one, and to commend his most cherished one to his beloved apostle. Fifth, we see Mary as the only non-apostle who the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to name in Acts 1:12-14.
I believe she was there as a follower of Jesus, one of 120 in need of a savior, and following the teaching of the master to wait upon the holy spirit.
I believe what scripture says in Lk 1:35 that Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and subsequently filled with divine life (Jesus in her womb). Why wouldn't she want to witness John (given to her as son at the cross) and the other apostles receive the same Holy Spirit? And unless the apostles were unaware of Jesus' holy conception, why wouldn't they want one overshadowed by the Holy Spirit praying with and for them?
That is a beautiful story about your calling. You are obviously a very special person. I do think that those of us who know God, can manage to respect each other, despite differences of opinion. God Bless.
My prayers are with you and know with eternal confidence that His Power is moving in your life.
Thx again for your kindness and support.
Rooster
I pray that His will shall be done.
We know nothing but His Love.
Soon we will know Him eternally.
Religion will be brushed aside and there He will stand...our Lord and Savior!
The Mother of Jesus was certainly the most wonderful woman to ever be born.
But putting that aside...how does a person avoid the ancient and still powerful pull toward the worship of the goddess (which is not Mary).
How does one love the Mother Mary without falling into the trap of goddess worship (i.e the worship of Semiramis, Athena, Diana...)
There is a fine line.
We obviously love Mother Mary...but how do we separate our love for Her from those evil idols who seek our devotion.
And make no mistake...idols are not idle. Fallen angels are not resting or dead.
When we pray to someone--anyone--other than Jesus...we are praying to a demon.
Just saying...flame away!
Seven
You are a gem for caring for your parents.
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What are those grey splotches scattered all over the statue? Looks like it’s pockmarked with bullet holes.
“When we pray to someone—anyone—other than Jesus...we are praying to a demon.”
You seem to be stating the protestant view of prayer that equates the petition as worship. Asking the Saints in Heaven to intercede is as Christian as Church on Sunday.
Fantastic parallels. I learned something!
I know we have differences, but I know our hearts are full of the same love.
See you in eternity...all my Love!
I think one of the most amazing acounts outside of the scriptures of what Mary went through is in St. Bridget’s Revelation’s the 10th Chapter. I am in awe of what our Lord did for us without this account. But to read it from a personal view point of the Mother of Our Lord Jesus. It’s truly an awesomely rich read. It gives you the horror of a mother who saw it. Just wakes and shakes your spirit. What an awesome God we have.
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