A 'most powerful woman' – National Geographic's major hat tip to the Virgin Mary

catholicnewsagency.com ^ | December 23, 2015 | cna

[Morgana]

Washington D.C., Dec 23, 2015 / 06:02 pm (CNA).- Our Lady. Blessed Mother. Virgin Mary. Queen of Peace. Theotokos. Handmaid of the Lord. Mother Mary.

These are just some of the titles used to describe the young woman to whom an angel appeared some 2,000 years ago with the message that she would conceive and bear the Savior of the World.

Mary has very few recorded words in the New Testament, but her worldwide devotion spans across time, cultures and even religions.

In a Nov. 8 feature for National Geographic, “How the Virgin Mary Became the World’s Most Powerful Woman,” Maureen Orth explores the worldwide phenomenon of devotion to the Mother of God in anticipation of the Dec. 13 National Geographic Channel special, “The Cult of Mary.”

In her piece, Orth spoke with Marian scholars and experts and even followed pilgrims to Marian apparition sites to learn more about this “most powerful woman.”

[HerrBlucher]

That was a great write-up. It really surprised me that time would do something that’s fair to the Blessed Mother.

[daniel1212]

''Since then no other woman has been as exalted as Mary,''[Source]

That was a great write-up. It really surprised me that time would do something that's fair to the Blessed Mother.

Well, they do believe in Godless evolution, which explains how a humble, pious, spiritual servant of God and mother of Christ (concerning the flesh), whom the Holy Spirit, who characteristically reveals extra-ordinary departures from the norm (such as being sinless, extended virginity, bodily resurrection, being an object of prayer, etc.) says relatively little about, and warns against thinking of mortals above that which is written; (1Co. 4:6), became,

an almost almighty demigoddess to whom "Jesus owes His Precious Blood" to,

whose [Mary] merits we are saved by,

who "had to suffer, as He did, all the consequences of sin,"

and was bodily assumed into Heaven, which is a fact (unsubstantiated in Scripture or even early Tradition) because the Roman church says it is, and "was elevated to a certain affinity with the Heavenly Father,"

• and whose power now "is all but unlimited,"

for indeed she "seems to have the same power as God,"

"surpassing in power all the angels and saints in Heaven,"

so that "the Holy Spirit acts only by the Most Blessed Virgin, his Spouse."

and that "sometimes salvation is quicker if we remember Mary's name then if we invoked the name of the Lord Jesus,"

for indeed saints have "but one advocate," and that is Mary, who "alone art truly loving and solicitous for our salvation,"

Moreover, "there is no grace which Mary cannot dispose of as her own, which is not given to her for this purpose,"

and who has "authority over the angels and the blessed in heaven,"

including "assigning to saints the thrones made vacant by the apostate angels,"

whom the good angels "unceasingly call out to," greeting her "countless times each day with 'Hail, Mary,' while prostrating themselves before her, begging her as a favour to honour them with one of her requests,"

and who (obviously) cannot "be honored to excess,"

and who is (obviously) the glory of Catholic people, whose "honor and dignity surpass the whole of creation." Sources and more.

One would have a hard time in Bible times explaining kneeling before a statue and praising the entity it represented in the unseen world, beseeching such for Heavenly help, and making offerings to them, and giving glory and titles and ascribing attributes to such which are never given in Scripture to created beings (except to false gods), including having the uniquely Divine power glory to hear and respond to virtually infinite numbers of prayers individually addressed to them

Which manner of adulation would constitute worship in Scripture, yet Catholics imagine that by playing word games then they can avoid crossing the invisible line between mere "veneration" and worship.

Moses, put down those rocks! I was only engaging in hyper dulia, not adoring her. Can't you tell the difference?

Catholics should only do (and I should do more of) what Mary and every believer in Scripture did in praying to Heaven, which was to pray directly to the Lord, not saintly secretaries. But they must truly become born again for that.

Instead, Caths basically say,

As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes... (Jeremiah 44:16-17)

[o_1_2_3__]

I wondered about that. Haven’t seen it or read it or whatever. I figured they had a angle.

[o_1_2_3__]

Merry Christmas. Give it rest, OK?

[Morgana]

Thank you!

[daniel1212]

Give it rest, OK?

Do RCs give the promotion of their provocative distinctive beliefs ("AKA "traditions of men") a rest? No. What if a Mormon posted an article dealing what Elijah etc. supposedly revealed to him?

Maureen Orth explores the worldwide phenomenon of devotion to the Mother of God in anticipation of the Dec. 13 National Geographic Channel special, “The Cult of Mary.”

Well named:

The Catholic Encyclopedia speculates that a further reinforcement of Marian devotion, “was derived from the cult of the angels, which, while pre-Christian in its origin, was heartily embraced by the faithful of the sub-Apostolic age. It seems to have been only as a sequel of some such development that men turned to implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. This at least is the common opinion among scholars, though it would perhaps be dangerous to speak too positively. Evidence regarding the popular practice of the early centuries is almost entirely lacking...,” (Catholic Encyclopedia > Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary)

She said she appears to anyone she wants, anytime she wants, anywhere she wants,” Anathalie said.

In addition to Christians, Muslims hold the Blessed Mother in high regard, Orth said, noting that her name appears more in the Koran than in the New Testament. - http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/a-most-powerful-woman-national-geographics-major-hat-tip-to-the-virgin-mary-53468/

[o_1_2_3__]

Merry Christmas. Be a gentleman, OK, and move along.

[ealgeone]

Daniel1212 has every right to post what he wants on this topic....especially if it identifies false teaching. If catholics don’t want the analysis then put it in the caucus thread.

[o_1_2_3__]

Manners trump rights. That's how you can tell who the conservatives are.

No Catholic needs or wants to hear your harassment and ranting. It falls on deaf ears.

Why don't you leave them alone and just pray for them?

There's a scripture about leaving the place where you're not welcome.

[ealgeone]

It’s an open forum. If you don’t want the conversation put it in a caucus thread.

[Morgana]

What he’s saying is it’s Christmas can you cool it for just one day???

[metmom]

Manners trump rights. That's how you can tell who the conservatives are.

In your opinion.

No Catholic needs or wants to hear your harassment and ranting. It falls on deaf ears.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[ebshumidors]

Holy Mary, mother of God. That’s good enough for me to ask help from.

[o_1_2_3__]

metomom or whatever is as close a thing to evil as I've come across.

She's energized by something and it's not charity. It's darkness and hatred.

[ealgeone]

Then maybe Catholics should cool it one day and not post on this topic.

[Morgana]

Oh so I suppose non Catholics don’t have the Virgin Mary in their Nativity scene in their churches? I’m so sorry I did not realize that. What a shame. So they can’t read this wonderful article written by a secular magazine that actually spoke well of the mother of Jesus? Just wow what kind of churches are those? Certainly none I’d ever want to go to!

[Salvation]

[ealgeone]

You owe metmom an apology.

Totally uncalled for response.

RM I recommend this post be pulled.