Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 5/19/2008

Question
I recently asked you a question about what a person must do to return to being in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and you gave me a very good answer.

Then you told me, as I seek, to pray a Hail Mary. This raises another question because it raises problems with me. I understand the theology behind the teaching on Mary. I've listened to Scott Hahn explain it, and I've read articles on www.catholic.com.

My question is regarding whether or not Roman Catholic practice trumps the careful distinction that is made between hyperdulia (intense honor) and latria (worship).

I can go so far as to understand, and possibly even accept, this difference... but it would be much harder for me to accept that the Roman Catholic Church actually practices this difference, so I would need your help in explaining that.

I hope we can agree that Jesus is the mediator between man and God, and that it is okay to pray directly to Jesus at any given time.

In my experience, Roman Catholic Christians spend more time praying and asking the saints for prayer than they do praying to Jesus, when Jesus is the Son of God, divine in nature. Why is that? Why is it that a much greater portion of prayer, through the rosary, is dedicated to the Hail Mary?

Before I pray a Hail Mary, I need you (or someone) to explain exactly what I am doing and why I am doing it rather than just simply praying to Jesus, who is the High Priest.

I read an article on www.catholic.com about the history behind the Hail Mary, and it wasn't very helpful. In fact, to me it seemed from reading the article that, in modern times, this prayer has been blown way out of proportion from the place of its origin and use.

I'm being direct with you in this question because, truly, this is a difficult subject for me and I need a good answer. I hope you can understand why, and if you would like to pray for me I would welcome it.

Thank you very much

Answer
Hi, Christopher, and thanks for the question:

YES - Mary can be SUCH a difficulty, even among those who truly are seeking the Lord Jesus Christ, Word of God, Eternal Son of the Father.  I think that the difficulty with Mary is in direct proportion of difficulties with the Church as the Assembly of the Faithful redeemed by Christ, as a visible institution that is both human and Divine.  (For since the Church is the Body of Christ, and Christ is Divine, so is the Church endowed with Divine Gifts of God's Grace and operation).
In a similar way, the hyperdulia given to the Virgin Mary sees, recognizes, and extolls the Gifts that God has bestowed upon, and worked through the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Within my current state-of-relationship with, and honor for the BVM, it is sometimes difficult to remember back to the days when I too struggled with the "difficulties" presented about her, stemming from the history of evangelical protestantism.
God the Son dwelt in her womb... She was a special vessel of election, created by God to fulfill an awesome role in His Divine Plan for Salvation of the human race through Christ.
Read the Gospel of Luke: the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel, "Hail, FULL OF GRACE!  The Lord is with thee."  And her prayer: "My soul doth magnify the Lord ... He that is mighty hath done great things to me... All generations shall call me blessed!"
And didn't Elizabeth greet her: "Blessed art thou among women!"
The Virgin Mary is both the Mother of Jesus Christ, and a Sign of the Church herself, redeemed by Christ.
I just can't explain any better than Scott Hahn does in his works.  I just practice it.  When I move close to Mary, it only happens that she moves me closer to Christ her Son - our Savior.
She is a creature... God created her wonderfully.  There is no manner in which devotion to her is set up against devotion to Almighty God.
You mention that Roman Catholic Christians spend too much time praying to the BVM and the Saints, instead of to Jesus; but, I can tell you as a Priest with my people that this is sadly not true.  If only they (or even myself) WOULD spend more time praying and worshiping God, and honoring His Saints, and in the firstplace the Blessed Virgin Mary!
Oh, what a revolution of Grace and conversion of hearts would take place - igniting the world with the Fire of the Holy Spirit!
Study the great teachings and comparisons that authors far more talented than I go thru to expound how Mary reflects the glory of the Salvation promises of God among the ancient Hebrew people given to us thoughout the whole Old Testament record, to be fulfilled by Jesus and Mary in the NEW.

"Hail, Mary, full of grace!  The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and
at the hour of our death.  Amen."

Fr. Timothy Johnson