[Hermann the Cherusker]

Mary is worshipped, but not adored.

[netmilsmom]

When Catholics say any prayer in reference of Mary, we say, "Pray for Us."
Any of the Holy Trinity, we say, "Have Mercy on us."

See the difference?

[conservonator]

Mary is worshipped, but not adored.

Hermann, you know that you're going to have to explain the concepts of latria, dulia and hyperdulia now don't you ;)

[B Knotts]

You're right, of course, but you're obviously talking about a meaning of the word "worship" that has largely fallen out of use in common American English.

You do realize that you've opened up another can of worms? :-)

[FormerLib]

You'll have to excuse me, but that's a distinction that a non-Catholic is going to scratch his head over.

In the Orthodox vernacular, we'd say that only God is worshipped, thereby using that word to represent the highest homage that a human can give.

[steve86]

Mary is worshipped, but not adored.

It's kind of a tricky semantic thing (I am a Traditional Catholic and most definitely pray to Our Mother, Mary, but don't consider her anything like a deity. However, she, like any good mother, is willing to help her children achieve their worthy goals.)

In the following definition of worship, #1 would certainly not apply to the way Catholics view Our Mother, but #2 might, depending on how you use "adoring".

v. wor·shiped, or wor·shipped wor·ship·ing, or wor·ship·ping wor·ships or wor·ships
v. tr.
1. To honor and love as a deity.
2. To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion.

Adore can be synonomous with revere. I have no problem with the "deepest respect, deference, and esteem". That correctly describes how I feel about Our Mother.

re·vere1 Audio pronunciation of "revere" ( P )
Pronunciation Key (r-vîr)
tr.v. re·vered, re·ver·ing, re·veres
To regard with awe, deference, and devotion.
[French révérer, from Old French reverer, from Latin reverr : re-, re- + verr, to respect; see wer-3 in Indo-European Roots.]
Synonyms: revere, 1worship, venerate, adore, idolize

These verbs mean to regard with the deepest respect, deference, and esteem. Revere suggests awe coupled with profound honor: “At least one third of the population... reveres every sort of holy man” (Rudyard Kipling). Worship implies reverent love and homage rendered to God or a god: The ancient Egyptians worshiped a number of gods. In a more general sense worship connotes an often uncritical devotion: “She had worshiped intellect” (Charles Kingsley). Venerate connotes reverence accorded by virtue, especially of dignity or age: “I venerate the memory of my grandfather” (Horace Walpole). To adore is to worship with deep, often rapturous love: The students adored their caring teacher. Idolize implies worship like that accorded an object of religious devotion: He idolizes his wife.