Expert: Edward Bode - 8/2/2009

Question
I'd like to hear directly from a Catholic WHY your church focuses more on the worship & praise of the Virgin Mary than you do to Jesus Christ? He is the Son of God, the one who was tortured, killed & took our sins upon HIM. Not Mary. She was simply the chosen woman to carry the child. WHY do you insist on "hail Mary's" & statues of a the MOTHER of Jesus, rather than focusing on HIS sacrifice? It really blows me away. Thank you in advance.

Answer
Robyn, nice of you to ask a question about the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus.
In the fifth century, the Christian Church solemnly declared that Mary was to be honored with the title of "Mother of God."  That declaration prompted a popular outpouring, which has perdured to the present time.
As you point out, Jesus is the Savior, the Son of God.  He does occupy the central place in the worship of the Catholic Church at the daily Eucharistic celebration, which is an unbloody representation of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross.
I don't suppose anyone has counted the statues in Catholic churches around the world, but one thing is sure -- every church does contain an image of Christ on the cross.
We venerate [not worship] Mary because of the special favors that she received from God -- virgin mother of Jesus, whom he gave to the world as our mother at the cross [John 19:2627].  Hence, her many statues in Catholic churches.
No merely human being has received such special favors from God as Mary.  God has singuraly honored he.  So, we pay her special and singular respect.  The Hail Mary prayer derives mainly from Luke [1:28, 30, 42,45, 48].
Whether excessive veneration has been given Mary by some Catholics, I cannot answer.  However, the official teaching of the Church gives Mary a special place among humans in subordination to the Saviour, her Son, Jesus.
So, in short, we honor Mary because of her honors from God but recognize that Jesus is the one devine and human being to whom we owe our salvation.
I hope these thoughts are of some help.  If you wish more, I am willing to respond further.
Best wishes, Robyn.