	AllExperts > Catholics
	Search

About Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001, and so am entering into my 7th year of Sacred Ministry.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Catholicism > Catholics > Grace2

Catholics - Grace2

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 10/30/2009

Question
Hi Timothy,

I can understand the church deciding that Mary was the bearer of Christ so therefore she had an important role.

What I am wondering is this - Mary had an important role and a greater role that no other woman could do. She carried Christ and therefore physically delivered him into the world. She supported him as a mother and was with him when he died. Through Christ, God could provide grace to sinners.

Is Mary the Mediatrix of Grace by the decree of Church Tradition or is she Mediatrix of Grace by what is in the Scriptures?

Cheers,

Brian.

Answer
Hi, Brian:
Thanks for the question...

As with the overwhelming majority of Church Traditions, there are verses in Sacred Scripture that point to special aspects of Mary's role and status in the workings of Grace. For example, she is hailed by the Archangel as "filled with Grace," in her song of praise to God, the Magnificat, she declares "He that is mighty has done great things in me." Then we see her role as intercessor and leading others to Christ her Son at the Wedding Feast of Cana, bringing the request for more wine, and telling them "do whatever He tells you." In the Book of Revelation we see her exalted in the Heavenly places as Ark of the Covenant (God Bearer), and the woman "clothed with the Son."
As I mentioned, the title "Mediatrix of All Graces" is not yet declared as a defined dogma; though the Church maintains it is certainly worthy of belief.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Add to this Answer Ask a Question