Many people, both Catholics and non-Catholics, ask the question: Why do Catholics honor Mary? After all, isn’t Jesus the center of our faith?
Yes, absolutely! Catholics worship only God. But they honor Mary because of her unique role in God’s plan of salvation. Think of it this way: honoring Mary is like honoring the mother of a great king, not instead of the king, but because of Him.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Mary Is the Mother of Jesus and Therefore, the Mother of God
Catholics honor Mary because she is the mother of Jesus. When the angel Gabriel told her she would give birth to the Son of God, she said yes with humility and faith.
Since Jesus is fully God and fully man, the Church rightly calls Mary the Mother of God (Theotokos in Greek). This title doesn’t make her divine, but it honors her closeness to Christ.
Mary’s Role in the Bible Shows Her Deep Faith
In the Bible, Mary is present at many key moments in Jesus’ life:
- She says “yes” to God at the Annunciation (Luke 1:38)
- She visits her cousin Elizabeth, who calls her “blessed among women” (Luke 1:42)
- She treasures and ponders God’s words in her heart (Luke 2:19)
- She is present at the foot of the cross (John 19:25–27)
All these moments show that Mary is not just important because she gave birth to Jesus, she also followed Him with deep faith and love.
At the Cross, Jesus Gave Mary to Us
Another reason Catholics honor Mary is because Jesus Himself gave her to us as a spiritual mother.
While dying on the cross, Jesus said to His beloved disciple (representing all of us): “Behold your mother.” (John 19:27)
Catholics believe this was more than a kind gesture. It was Jesus inviting every Christian to accept Mary as their mother in faith.
Mary Always Points Us to Her Son
Catholics never worship Mary. That would be wrong. Instead, they honor her (called veneration) and ask for her prayers, just like you might ask a close friend or a holy person to pray for you.
Why do Catholics honor Mary in prayer? Because she leads us to Jesus. At the wedding at Cana, her words were simple and powerful: “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5)
Her job has always been to bring people closer to her Son.
What About the Rosary and Marian Devotions?
You might have seen Catholics praying the Rosary or celebrating Marian feast days. These aren’t meant to replace Jesus, but to reflect on His life with Mary as our guide.
The Rosary is a meditative prayer focused on the major events in the life of Jesus. Mary helps us ponder them with a heart like hers.
Why Honoring Mary Deepens Our Faith
So, why do Catholics honor Mary? Because doing so reminds us of:
- God’s mercy and power
- The beauty of humility and obedience
- The love of a spiritual mother who always leads us to Christ
Mary never asks for praise. She only asks that we love and follow her Son. By honoring her, we remember God’s great love in choosing her and we are inspired to say yes to Him, just as she did.
Final Thoughts
Catholics honor Mary not because she is equal to God, but because she is the best example of someone who said “yes” to Him. Her life is a model of faith, trust, and love.
And that’s why Catholics love her, because she always brings us closer to Jesus