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Too many people confuse our love for God's gifts that are special to us. Like the amazing example He gave of a "perfect woman" in Jesus' mother. We believe Mary to be "the woman clothed with the sun," the one who God said would crush the head of the serpent in Gen. 3:15. Because she is such a danger to satan, satan tried to kill her even after the Savior was born (Rev. 12:13). The angel Gabriel called Mary, "full of Grace", and we do the same.

She is the spiritual mother of all Christians who continues to glorify God in our spiritual battles.

Catholics know that to God, the most important aspect of our Christianity is love. Our love for God, and his gifts to us, should not be confused with "veneration". I hope your fear of veneration, doesn't interfere with your love.

Catholics clearly know it is highly offensive to God to worship for example "Pachamama" (mother earth) etc. We hold those dedicated to God, and those who gave testimony for God, in high esteem. That doesn't mean we worship them. We ask them to pray for us, just like you would a loved one who passed away. Our souls are eternal and we believe that those who died for God continue the spiritual battle fighting for God's kingdom.

As an example, I enjoy reading Joyce Meyer, I would share her example and testimony with anyone it would benefit. If after everything she has done, died for her faith, I believe she would be worthy of recognition and honor in our Christian history. In the Catholic church, her life work and testimony, would possible qualify for sainthood. There are people's lives she has saved, and hearts she has touched. Those people may not know her personally but they are still gratefull and may even love her as a spiritual sister. She gave testimony of her faith to others, and honoring her, continues that testimony. That doesn't mean we worship her.

Speaking of the talented Joyce Meyer, did her words all come directly from the bible? NO - For Catholics, that doesn't mean what she has written worthless.

For those that reject the centuries of beautiful biblical philosophy from early and recent Catholics because they are not "Scripture" only, I'm sure they are intellectually honest enough to apply the same standards which would reject the writings of Joyce Meyer, right?

We believe Mary to be "the woman clothed with the sun,"

the one who God said would crush the head of the serpent in Gen. 3:15.

Did Mary then get sore feet?

God informs the serpent he will put enmity between the serpent and the woman. This is reinforced by the second part of the sentence, “between your offspring and hers.” The Hebrew word זֶרַע - zera - is the same for “offspring” and “seed”, accounting for the difference in English translations, but in both cases the word is masculine.

The second sentence begins with a personal pronoun.

The word may refer either to the “woman”, or may refer to the offspring or seed of the woman.

Thus the beginning of the second part of Genesis 3:15 is translated primarily in two ways.

Both the Latin Vulgate and the Douay-Rheims translations convey this passage as “she will crush your head, while you strike at his heel “...

whereas the King James version, the Revised Standard Version, and the NIV read “he will crush your head...”

In view of the epicene personal pronoun (one form to indicate both male and female sex) as described above, both are correct.

"I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
He/She will crush your head,
while you strike at his heel."

Genesis 3:15