4 Catholic Dogmas of Mary Explained

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[@veemo8830]

Never worry about loving Mary too much because you will never love her as much as Jesus.

[@Michelle071]

Isn’t that logic true of anyone though? For example, “you can never love (fill in the blank) as much as Jesus loves them”

[@Michelle071]

I’m just arguing that we CAN love someone or something other than God too much or above God.

[@Douglasfurtree66]

Beautiful St. Maximilian Kolbe Quote

[@shoshishoshi127]

@@Michelle071 Yes, it is. That's why no one should worry about loving someone too much that it becomes idolatry. You can love anyone deeply without seeing them as a deity because God himself loves us more deeply than any human can love him back.

[@luispesqueralorenzo]

Protestants are the ones always "worrying" about her 🤭 we know she's ok so no worries at all

[@Aaryq]

Hi, Father Casey. Pray for my family. After YEARS, I finally convinced my wife to attend a Catholic Mass with me.

[@corbytate8247]

I will keep you both in prayer

[@johanneabelsen1644]

Awesome!!🎉❤✝️📿🔥

[@luckyleo88]

I’m 36 years old this year. When Covid hit 2020, I was at one of my lowest point in my life. I started saying the rosary in July 2020 and have said it to my utmost knowledge, every single day since. It’s ingrained in me now. I used to say it on and off when I was younger but now I find comfort and peace in reciting the rosary every single day and even on the stressful and tired days. I’m very grateful no matter what. Some days I say it fast, some days I take my time but whatever it is, I make sure my intent is always there.

[@aaronleschke8988]

Luke also records that she was at Pentecost! So whatever cool associations you have with the apostles and Pentecost, add that to Mary too! And how amazing is it that all of those folks were experiencing the fulness of the Spirit for the first time, and Mary’s there going, “Hello again, dear friend!”

[@HighKingTurgon]

My favorite thing about the wedding at Cana-THERE ARE MANY-is that when Jesus pushes back against his mother, he insists "my hour has not yet come." She knows exactly who he is, and she seems to know the Scriptures well enough to have a pretty good idea of how this ends. He is giving her a chance to say, 'no, not yet. give me another year with my son." and she still says yes. Mary's radical conformity to the will of God is such a wonder. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

[@vincewarde]

As an evangelical minister who frequently defends Catholics against false charges of idol worship, I appreciated this video. As followers of Christ, we should never distort anyone's position in order to win arguments. One need not agree with the position of the Catholic Church on any issue in order to accurately and fairly represent it. BTW, most of the protestant reformers, as well as John Wesley, also held to the perpetual virginity of Mary.

[@DarkSydeSean1]

I'm pretty sure all the reformers held her in very high regard. Even today, many high church protestants still do. Just not as the way us Catholics and the Orthodox do. Seeing an evangelical minister like yourself defend us against false charges like that is very nice to see. God bless you and your family.

[@vincewarde]

@@DarkSydeSean1 Even though our worship style is very different than found in high churches, Wesleyan evangelicals like myself are strongly influenced by them, as well as our Catholic roots. One thing is very clear: I have much more in common with a Catholic who believes in the Deity of Christ, His sacrificial death upon the cross, His resurrection, His certain and literal return, and the inspiration and authority of Scripture; than I do with a Protestant who does not believe one or more of these things. Sadly too many in both our camps have abandoned these bedrock truths 😢😢😢😢

[@chrishellize]

I'm doing the RCIA programme right now, and as a mother I find it very hard to cope with and process what Mary went through. I cant imagine the pain of watching my son be tortured and left to die for a cheering crowd. Ive asked Monsignor how she was able to bear it, how did she not try and rip him down from the cross. Monsignor says she had divine help, and John. The fact that she was human, and so young yet so faithful and strong is incredible. She is awe inspiring. My only hope is that she was reunited with her son very quickly, I couldn't live with out either of mine.

[@AI-hx3fx]

She is not named as among the women at the empty Sepulchre in the Resurrection narratives. A pious belief is that this was because Jesus naturally appeared first to the one person who has been with Him even until that point: His Mother. As someone from an Asian context, I also understand this to be an expression of Christ’s filial piety towards His grieving Mother. The first person we still present ourselves to after an absence is our parents.

[@InExcelsisDeo24]

Mary was extraordinary. She was about sixteen years old when Jesus was born. The moment she said an unconditional yes to God, she was surrounded and protected by hordes of angels. She was completely free from sin of any kind her entire life. She was the strongest, most blessed woman that has ever walked the face of the earth ❤

[@Grant_K_]

Love the simple explanation! Salve Regina!

[@blaisemacpherson7637]

In North Idaho where i am from the wheat harvest is a little late, in mid August. And on the 15th the combines are parked, and the dirty service trucks are in the parking lot of Our Lady of the Assumption in Ferdinand Idaho. This commitment and devotion of my cousins and uncles taking time that they very much do not have as much as anything else is that I honor when i think of the blessed mother.

[@CW11721]

As a Protestant seriously considering converting to Catholicism, Mary has often been one of my biggest points of doubt. Thanks for the video; I do like learning more and getting a better understanding

[@lebell79]

Im a recent convert from protestantism, I know it can be bewildering and feel alien. Im still getting used to her, in daily mass however it's all about Christ, I do the rosary and slowly get to know her. My point is: don't let the holy virgin be an obstacle because in her words: through her will the Lord be magnified. She adds to His glory, not detracts.

[@br.m]

@SJ-up9zq Because it is false. It is impossible not really hard.

[@julieCA58]

For what it's worth, I'm a lifelong Catholic that accepts the doctrines of Mary and she is very important. However, i understand people being cautious as there are some who can give the wrong impression focusing more on Mary than on the Trinity. But this was a good video accurately explaining what I always understood to be true. Praying God guide you to the truth.

[@julieCA58]

Nothing is impossible with God.

[@killianmiller6107]

Can I ask, what is so objectionable about Mary being preserved from all sin from the first moment of her conception in view of the merits of Christ, for instance? You think that to be impossible?

[@jopa24601]

Hail Holy Queen Mother of mercy!

[@Brandon31687]

Proverbs 3:5-6 EasyEnglish Bible 5 Trust in the Lord completely. Do not think that you understand things well enough for yourself. 6 Whatever you are doing, remember that the Lord is with you. Then he will show you the right way to go.

[@br.m]

I'm joining LCMS

[@temx7526]

@@br.mwhat is LCMS

[@killianmiller6107]

Fun fact about the Greek of “full of grace,” this is actually not precisely used for Jesus and St Stephen. For the latter two, the Greek is “pleres charitos” which is literally “full of grace” in an adjectival sense. However for Mary (and only one other place in Ephesians 1:6) the Greek “charis” is used in the verb form “charitoo,” in Mary’s case it’s “kecharitomene” which itself is a unique word not found anywhere else in the Bible or Greek literature, a special word for a special person. It’s a feminine present passive participle, which means “you who have been graced,” and since it’s such a grammatically rich word, it falls short without being translated “fully graced” rather than just “graced.”

[@what-st8nu]

Fully graced would mean the same as full of grace.

[@emoore1439]

It means "one who has always been full of grace"

[@beetlejuicewastaken]

Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis! 💙

[@acohan1]

Mary has brought more people to the church than even Jesus. . That's simply historical fact. . I've personally not been to church in months, but still pray the rosary each day. . She is the one entity of Catholicism I will never turn on

[@scrappycoco6282]

Did Jesus the Saviour told you to worship or pray to Mary??

[@primroseellard-webster4376]

Hail Theotokos ❤

[@ChaChaDancin]

Excellent summary. A lot packed into a short video. Thank you!

[@RacoonsAreJustForbiddenCats]

My protestant brain has struggled with this for years (Mary raptured body + soul into heaven) yet I don’t question the same for Elijah in the Old Testament… surely if God was willing to take him he would be willing to take the blessed mother of our savior. Another point to the Catholics - every day I get closer to making the jump over

[@DonJorgeRM]

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus.

[@AI-hx3fx]

Nunc et in hora morris nostræ. Amen.

[@soniatorres5227]

Father 🙏 what a great and simple explanation. You have a true calling of being a priest . God bless u

[@davidrosa5283]

As someone who is going through formation the devotion to Mary still gets to me. While there are passages to referencing reverence to his mother there church allows itself a lot of assumptions in this regard. I believe that all the eastern and western Catholic Churches hold truest to the form of the early church but it is Christianity and not Marianity this is to say that none of the other saints are venerated in this way and hardly any mention of Joseph’s role in this. There has to be better explanations that make direct connections to the assumption and the dogma that she was born without original sin. I love that we have a connection with our heavenly family and that they are continuously remembered and thought of just the elevation of Mary and truthfully the over veneration makes it easy for Protestants to say that the Chruch has strayed away from Christ and towards Mary.

[@lauretta1966]

Maria madre della Chiesa intercedi per noi 🙏 grazie padre Casey catechesi perfetta

[@synanthony]

She’s also at Pentecost

[@ksiriscool]

Excellent explanation. Thanks again

[@alexmburu830]

Holy mary mother of GOD pray for us sinners that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@m1chacha]

Hi there! I'm a Protestant who is watching some of these videos to better understand the Catholic view on some things, and while I disagree on a lot of your points, I'm grateful for the clear ways you explain things, and can tell that you have a genuine faith in Christ, which is great! I do have a few questions/challenges for you though: 1. What do you take from Luke 11:27-28? In my eyes, Jesus seems to warn us against with the notion of raising Mary up too highly, and of focusing on her and her 'blessedness' too much, when our intention should be that of following God and His ways. (a similar notion is made in Mark 3:31-35) I appreciate that you said that the Catholic doctrine is not that of worship or idolisation towards Mary, but to me at least, many things about modern Catholicism (naming MANY churches after her, the obsession with her iconography, prayers to her, etc) seem scarily close to that, and can at times become idolatry in the lives of some who call themselves Catholic, and it worries me that the church almost seems to endorse that. 2. Isn't the doctrine that Mary never sinned in contrast to Romans 3:23, and doesn't it fly in the face of the fall of humanity, and the whole point of Jesus' death on the cross? You admit yourself that even Mary needed Christ Jesus as her saviour, but how could that be if she had never sinned & thus never been separated from the glory of God? I don't follow the logic there. Even to entertain the idea that God miraculously chose to restore Mary's fallen state so that she could never sin I simply ask the question of why would he do that for her but make any others sinless in a separate way through Jesus? Am I understanding correctly that in Catholicism the idea is that Jesus had to be born of someone sinless so that He would be sinless too? Because if so then it would follow that Mary's parents had to be sinless too, etc, which obviously doesn't make sense. 3. I find it worrying how much weight is placed in creating doctrine out of things that are not scripture in the Catholic church. I did a quick Google search on the Protoevangelium of James, and granted, Wikipedia isn't a great source, but it seems to me that that document was rejected my many in the church in its own time, including a Pope and a council, and it seems likely to have been a later apocryphal writing not traced to any actual eyewitness. Is that really the best source for the development and justification for doctrine? I will say that I'm not wholly opposed to the idea of Mary being a perpetual virgin and the 'brothers' of Jesus actually being cousins or the like (it definitely seems plausible), but I just don't see a convincing reason to hold that to be true. With all this said, I do pray and hope the best for you and am grateful for your partnership in the Christian faith and for the good you do in sharing the message of Christ to people! May God bless you and I hope you continue to grow closer in knowledge of and relationship with Him. Amen!

[@jazzydiver4519]

Hi, Fr Casey, I'm confused about something re: timestamp 4:41. If Mary was really born without original sin, why would she still need a savior? Is it because she still had the potential to choose sin? Just trying to understand that particular doctrine.

[@what-st8nu]

Jesus opened the gates of heaven.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Just being without sin does not warrant someone heaven. This is a heresy called Pelagianism. All need a savior, sin or not.

[@lebell79]

Mary could not have been born with original sin, otherwise Jesus would have had it too. Mary needing a saviour is often a protestant talkingpoint that somehow shows how it wouldnt make sense. If you're interested explore the concepts of Mary as the ark, or the new Eve. It should clarify things. :-)

[@WC3isBetterThanReforged]

an old adage to explain this is someone falling into a pit (sin). A savior (Jesus) comes along and pulls him out of the pit (the crucifixion). Another person (Mary) comes walking along and a savior (Jesus) grabs her (grace) before falling into the pit. In both examples, the person is saved from the pit by Jesus. One reactively and the other proactively.

[@jacobheasley2618]

By your logic Mary's parents couldn't have had original sin or else Mary would have had it too ​@@lebell79

[@GranMaese]

What an amazing video. Another hit by friar Casey!

[@nubeazul5963]

I really don’t understand why it would matter to anyone if Mary was a perpetual virgin or not, if she had other children after Jesus or if she ascended directly into heaven. She is Jesus’ mother and that’s enough for me. She trusted completely in God’s will and that makes her someone to look up to.

[@AI-hx3fx]

Ave, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Salve. mater Dei!

[@connorallgood0922]

As a protestant, I'll make the concerns I think most of us hold with these sort of views. The Bible tells us not to add or take away from the scripture. Why would we deny the scripture to go ahead and add to it things that may or may not be true? Whether it is proper to pray to Mary is irrelevant, the question is, does the Bible tell us we should. Who does the Bible say we should pray to? We may pray WITH other people, but we don't pray to mankind.

[@user-hg9oi7mp1c]

Some thoughts, respectfully. We do not pray to Mary, we ask her to pray with us and for us to God almighty. Not worship, devotion. Do people (catholics) sometimes overshoot and end up focussing more on Mary than on Christ? Believing in practice that it's Mary who grants a prayer or works a miracle, not God through her intercession? They do. They're human. They're fallible. But it's not the church's teaching. 'Sola scriptura' is not in the Bible. Read that again, please. Discerning tradition as a legitimate source of faith (as the catholic church does) does not equal adding to or denying scripture. Ironically, 'sola scriptura' does precisely what you criticise here: advocating a manmade view inspired (according to protestants) by scripture. God bless.

[@jonyivre4541]

It's a good start in life.

[@rmglabog]

For scriptural references, there is also the Magnificat. The canticle of the Virgin Mary.

[@Randman64]

Blessed mother please help me be obedient to God as you were.

[@verdecillo9940]

Regarding the angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary, "full of grace" is just one of the common translations into English, but the original Greek word in Luke 1:28 is κεχαριτωμένη (~kecharitomene). It is a 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘹 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘯 (i.e. a word that appears only once in the entire scripture) - so it is a rare and unique word - a perfective passive participle used as an adjective (in feminine form) - a more literal translation would be "has been fully graced" - it is 𝘯𝘰𝘵 the same word that is used in other New Testament occurrences of "full of grace" - it seems to describe only Mary. This fact in itself is one piece of Biblical evidence in support of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

[@BrendanMcK-ot3ys]

I wanna get better at praying can you give me some tips

[@hipchik30]

Do Catholics believe Mary experienced pain in childbirth?

[@Laurelin70]

​@SJ-up9zqNot necessarily. It's not a dogma and you can believe it or not without any problem.

[@hayleybartek8643]

As a lifelong Catholic, I'd never heard this question and never considered it. I'd think not, though, because if there was ever a baby whose birth would not hurt their mother, Jesus would be it.

[@m_d1905]

No they don't. However that belief isn't a salvic one. If you don't agree, it doesn't affect salvation. Edit: Typo

[@hipchik30]

@@m_d1905 I just wonder where that belief comes from. We’re not told anything about that in scripture

[@m_d1905]

@@hipchik30 Early church fathers I believe. If I recall correctly it was a tradition that was added to over time. It's been nearly 40 years since my Church History class in HS. So I'm a bit vague on the particulars. It is a very old tradition though.

[@jamesbarton5759]

Mary is mentioned in Acts 1:14

[@peytonfamily1198]

"Let those who think that the Church pays too much attention to Mary give heed to the fact that Our Blessed Lord Himself gave ten times as much of His life to her as He gave to His Apostles."-Ven. Fulton Sheen

[@sarahvia2818]

Hello Fr Casey, as catechumen and newbie to christianity (I've yet to read the whole new testament) would you recommend I include devotion to Mary? Some would argue it'd derail from the main focus a relationship with Christ... Any catholics reading this would love your advice too. I must say at time I resonate more with protestants... according to the catholic church I could only be baptised in 2026 :/ Thanks in advance

[@user-hg9oi7mp1c]

The short answer: read and pray on the gospels first and foremost. Mary is also in there, but the focus is and should always be Christ. Get familiar with Christ's life and words, and especially his sacrifice. Everything else is commentary, respectfully. Some thoughts to help you along (from my own experience). Mary is no more and no less than a pathway to Christ (per Mariam ad Christum, through Mary to Christ). Any devotion you spend on Mary should point the way to Christ, not to Mary herself. She does not save, she guides you to He who saves. Feel free to (not) spend time with her, though as a catholic I do recommend it, if and only if she does not become the focus and goal of your devotion and prayer. It helps to realise, for example , that the rosary (intuitively seen as a devotional practice centred on Mary) is actually a meditation on the life and sacrifice of Christ, not on Mary. We pray to her to pray with us and for us, not to 'do' anything for us. Also: I hope you're not in a hurry to be baptised. Fervour is great, but patience is much more valuable spiritually. Don't be tempted by any type of 'short track' in these matters. Quite the opposite: trust mainly those guides who tell you to take time for your relationship with Christ to unfold. Faith (= trust) does not come quickly. Also: ask yourself why you 'resonate' with one or the other. Figuring that out will tell you a lot about yourself, your motivation, your hope, your trust. Above all: pray. If nothing else (as a newbie), pray the Lord's Prayer every day, over and over again. It's all in there. It's a perfect starting point. Hope you're going to mass regulary as well! The eucharist is what it's all about! God bless.

[@stevenking6129]

What happened to the America’s Got Talent video? Been reading a LOT about it on the internet.

[@Larissa_aus316]

Thank you. New to Catholicism and finding the Mary part confusing. This helped. A lot. Bless you.❤

[@nataliebohay5019]

@BreakingInTheHabit, is it possible that like Jesus, Mother Mary is capable of being with us in spirit?

[@LearndingLife]

So, this may come off as flippant as text does not convey tone, I'm a Protestant who grew up in Utah and I'm trying to understand, is this sorta like running to "Mom" when stuff is going bad because running to Dad is harder? I'm kinda guessing on that part as well as I grew up mostly in a single parent household. I know our language will always fail, I'm trying to wrap my mind fully around as I didn't mean a practicing Catholic in the flesh, to my knowledge, till I was late 20s. 😅😊🤗

[@br.m]

No it is a throwback to pre-Christian ways... Backsliding. It appeals to young feminists, alluring and lonely old men. Hope this helps..

[@Laurelin70]

​@@br.mNo, It doesn't help at all. It's false and not what the real Catholic devotion for Mary is. Ho away.

[@MrCusefan44]

It’s a reasonable question, but the answer is that it’s not like running to Mom because Dad is harder. The rosary includes the Lord Prayer and Hail Mary, so explicitly praying to the Father is expected. Additionally, “prayer” is often interpreted differently by Protestants which leads to confusion. All it means is to ask - knowing what is asked of Mary vs the Father of Jesus may be helpful. The Our Father is a request for specific actions - forgive us our sins, give us our daily bread, lead us not into temptation. The Hail Mary starts with two verses from the Bible (Luke 1:28 & 1:42). Then the request portion is “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen”. It’s a request for prayers on our behalf, much like you might ask a friend to pray for you. Not a direct action. Why ask Mary for prayers? I’ll give an example as an analogy from my career. I was managing a manufacturing site in New York State when Covid hit. We knew some businesses were going to be required to close, but that we might qualify as a critical business that could remain in operation. We went through the formal request process the state required (a “prayer”, if you will). However, we also had an executive who had gone to law school with the governor - so we asked him to directly ask the governor if we could get a waiver to stay running (in other words, we asked the executive to “pray” for us). That allowed a much quicker channel for information flow, and we got an OK to stay running almost immediately. Why do Catholics pray to Mary? It never hurts to have influential advocates, either on earth as in the case of the executive who was friendly with the governor - or in heaven when we ask Mary to advocate for us. But we still need to go through more official channels - either by filing out the appropriate paperwork or by praying directly to the Father (or Jesus).

[@hayleybartek8643]

I wouldn't say it's "preferring to go to Mom instead of Dad," but more like "going to Dad with Mom as backup." If you have ever asked another person to pray for you, or if you have ever offered to pray for someone, that is what praying to Mary should be like. If another asked you to pray for them, and you viewed prayer as an inherent act of worship, you could just as easily respond with a challenge that they somehow couldn't pray by themselves. But we are instructed to pray for each other. It stands to reason that we were obviously not being called to worship each other instead of God.

[@ereinei]

Asking the queen to intercede for us with the King who is her son. That pattern is described in the OT. The King respected his mother.

[@reconofhistory2704]

If Mary is our mother, is Abraham our father because Saint Paul calls him our father because of righteousness? So does this apply to Mary also go in the same direction?

[@GreenEyedRogue]

As humans we are naturally inclined to love and venerate our mothers. Jesus was fully God and fully human. Jesus the child, the teenager, and the man loved and venerated his mother during his earthly lifetime. He tells John from the cross "Here is your mother" which reinforces His earlier message to "Love, how I have loved" And more simply, as living disciples of Christ we are called to follow his teachings and, within the limits of our imperfection, to emulate Him. Jesus venerated His mother so we Catholics venerate her by His example.

[@generalyousif3640]

7:25 The Chaldean Catholic Church, interestingly traditionally holds the view that Mary died and than was ascended to heaven.

[@eagleswings5693]

One last dogma remains to be defined which is “Mary as perpetual mother”

[@Leafisa]

I was a Protestant and then I convert to Catholicism I still struggle with this doctrine. If I don’t say the Rosary? Am I not saved ? I have faith in my L-rd, Yeshua only. Is that not good enough ?

[@m_d1905]

You are saved if you believe Jesus is our Savior, he was crucified for our sins, died and rose again from the dead then ascended into heaven. The Rosary isn't a necessity for salvation.

[@David77757]

The Rosary is not a necessity for salvation. But is an extremely powerful weapon against any difficulties

[@m_d1905]

@@David77757 It can be yes, but it's not required. I never said one growing up Catholic because my family never did so. I was never required to do so in Catholic school either.

[@hmmhmm7029]

​@@m_d1905 It's still recommended that Catholics pray it; yes, it's not required, but it's a great way to invoke Mary's intercession and meditate on the mysteries of Christ.

[@m_d1905]

@@hmmhmm7029 Oh definitely. I understand it can make some converts uncomfortable because of all they had been told about how "bad" it is before. It takes a while to completely let go of some things like that. I don't pray the Rosary as much as I should, but I read my great grandmother's old prayer book. It has the rites for Mass, many daily prayers, the Creeds, etc.

[@christiandpaul2022]

Did the BVM ask for the dogma of Mother of God?

[@petersclafani4370]

I have very strong love as my patron supporter. I follow those beliefs from knights templar

[@RealSeanithan]

The conversation about what exactly we believe about the Mother of Jesus is quite the story...and the conversation about her title "Mother of God" is quite the ne-story.

[@tselengbotlhole750]

The Hail Mary is one of my favourite prayers. Very powerful prayer

[@josephology3290]

Mariology & Josephology help us see better Christology!

[@keithshaw2416]

"You’re very clever, young man, very clever. But it’s turtles all the way down."

[@carlose4314]

6:41 Hebrew family structures included first cousins as brothers.

[@michaellopez4358]

Idk, man. If, on one hand, you're saying that, "this is the church set up by Jesus the Christ, and all scripture is breathed by God," and then have to reference extra-scriptural texts to "prove" Mary "had no labor pains and was thus not subject to the punishment of Eve," then one of the two statements is wrong. Scripture is correct, and the Catholic church is practicing idolatry. Mary is *literally* the mother of God, but not on par with Him. Nowhere is she said to be free from original sin. If she were, she would be blameless, the same as our savior. She would literally be God. "Woman perfected." That's not at all what the Canon-that you created and claim to be the literal word of God-says.

[@catholicguy1073]

Thank you. 🙏

[@TheSavageJCE]

Public comment was added to the comment section of this video.

[@Autograf-dx7kv]

Assuming that god is allmighty and omniscient, the most important fact of Mary is: Jesus is sole child in the world who was able to choose his mother. Even if nobody except Jesus is able to answer that question neutrally, given the close relationship of human beings to the own mother, what woman would an allmighty and omniscient person choose as mother among all women on the world? Can we say anything more elevating about a human being?

[@eagleswings5693]

Every seed must die to bring forth good fruits so yes in my humble opinion I think she died before been assumed into heaven.

[@ewtam24]

Thank you Father! 🙏🏼

[@John2verse5]

Pax et Bonum

[@thomassharp2719]

Her official title is. Saint Mary the Virgin.

[@De-Nigma]

So… I admit I’m unconvinced, but that’s not really my major problem. If Catholics just believed these things, that’d be all very well, but what we’re told is that you *have* to believe these things to be properly a member of the Church. That’s what a dogma means, right? And you said it yourself, none of the scriptural passages are proofs of anything, and the ‘tradition’ is… well, it’s there, but most of the saints’ writings you’ve quoted are either legends or assertions rather than proofs. It shows that a fair few Christians believed it, sure, but it still leaves a lot of other Christians who don’t believe it and aren’t necessarily any the less Christian for it (including but not limited to modern Protestants.) I guess that would be my follow up: say we don’t find these arguments convincing and read the scripture and don’t see the implication of an immaculate conception or perpetual virginity - well, so what? I get that the Catholic Church doesn’t teach sola scriptura, but not every belief that appears in tradition is dogmatised, so why this one?

[@imtired6104]

The prophet Isaiah foretold of the Messiah being born of a virgin. Mary is also considered to be "the new Eve", and the "Ark of the Covenant" because within her body she held Jesus, the Bread of Life. Her body remained inviolate because of her role in our Salvation. That's why its important. The Fathers of the Church wrote about all of this if you want to explore it further, and all of this information (with references to the original sources) is contained in the Catechism.

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

Why do you hold the Bible as true but the writings of the Saints as "assertions"? If a belief can reasonably be traced back to the Early Church, it's a possible teaching by the Apostles. The Bible is only known to be true by the tewchings of the Apostles, there is no other way to arrive at the doctrines about those books that you believe in.

[@De-Nigma]

Well the writings of the saints aren’t inherently just assertions. Saints’ writings can prove things, but in this case, the ones quoted only seemed to be stating the doctrine rather than demonstrating it. All these ones prove on this issue is ‘some people believed these things.’ That’s also the distinction between them and the New Testament: the reason why certain books are the New Testament and others aren’t, ultimately, is that they do have that apostolic authority. If something like the Proto-Gospel of James had that authority, it would be in the New Testament. The thing is, you hit the nail on the head: ‘it’s reasonable to believe it’s an apostolic teaching.’ I agree, it is reasonable. I don’t necessarily believe it, but it’s perfectly reasonable for someone to look at the evidence and think ‘yes, that’s plausible, I can believe that.’ But a similarly reasonable person could also say ‘actually this doesn’t sound apostolic, it sounds like something that gained currency for some other reason.’ Or even just ‘this could be apostolic in origin, but there isn’t really enough evidence to be sure.’ Problem is, that’s not enough. These things are now dogmas of the Catholic Church: you *have* to believe them to be in full communion with the Church, at least officially. And I just don’t see anything that even came close to establishing them that strongly.

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

@@De-Nigma that's the role of the church though, to point to the correct interpretation out of the reasonable ones. I believe that the doctrine of the Trinity is for sure *reasonably* inferred from the Bible, but it's not unreasonable to harmonize the relevant text otherwise. (The most valid alternatives in my opinion are modalism and arianism). So I'm glad we agree the witness of the saints raises the marian doctrines of the church from "possible" to "reasonable", I don't think strictly speaking you can do better than that

[@praveendsouze]

Yes, there is a verse about Mary's assumption, "Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might." (Psalm 132:8)

[@DawsonBicknese]

Title should be: The truth about Mary

[@tyagi6575]

Of course Mary was a Divine Incarnation, just as Jesus. Both played very important roles in the Divine drama.

[@m1chacha]

Are you saying that Mary is God? Because that's what a Divine Incarnation is. And if that is what you are saying then I urge you to be very careful because that idea is not only unscriptural, but is literally blasphemy and idolatry. And it's not even what the Catholic church teaches!

[@tyagi6575]

@@m1chacha yes that is exactly what I mean.

[@michaelverde4844]

Ave Maria gratia plena! ⚜️🤔

[@carolinanavarro9076]

Is Mary an equal 'coredemtrix' with Jesus? Does she have a place alongside the Holy Spirit (her husband) in the trinity?

[@Clyde-S-Wilcox]

No.

[@abrilortegareyes3059]

No, because she is not God, she is completely human :)

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

No. Some have asked this but the Church has never said this.

[@catherinesarah5831]

All are equal in the sight of God. If we weren’t then the Unity of God couldn’t exist. We are ALL spirit in One with God enjoying an earthly experience. Period 🙏

[@alexanderwilliams6044]

I have a question as a non-denominational Christian, if God created Mary without original sin why doesn’t he do that with everyone? And why does she need a savior if she is in this state without sin? Obviously I think Mary just like everyone else needs a savior and I am fine with accepting some authority of church fathers but this bit seems to conflict with other core beliefs of Christianity

[@taintedwaste]

I would be happy to help answer your question 1. If Mary was as sinful as we were, is it really respectful that Christ, who is God the Son and without sin would have to be incarnate through someone as sinful as us? Is it not mentioned in the Bible that she is full of grace (God's favour and virtue) which we interpret as meaning she never sinned. 2. Our interpretation of her needing a saviour is that she longed for a child, and was glad that God saved her by giving her a child. Fr Casey Cole has a video on this for further explanation. 3. Since you are a non-denominational, I will assume you subscribe to Sola Scriptura (If I am wrong that's my bad), reading the Bible, you would notice that it's never written that Mary sinned, therefore it is difficult to assume she sinned without looking to other sources (Church Fathers) in which they would tell you she never sinned. Thank you for asking

[@_eemjee_]

she needed a savior to preserve her from committing sin in the first place. she can never do it alone but only through God's grace, that is why she is called "full of grace". she has to be sinless because of her vocation, she was called to be Holy Mother of God, the Holy Word of God Incarnate will be in her womb so she must be pure and clean, if you are God, are you gonna choose a defiled person? she is perpetual virgin because she was prevented from being defiled by a man, she can do it because she obviously surrender her life to God. i hope this helps, if you are open to more explanations, you can try listening to Catholic Answers. ✝️🙏

[@ereinei]

She carried God in her womb. Only one person has ever done that and only one person has ever been referred to as full of grace. Also note she probably took a temple vow of virginity when she was very young (see Exodus, Numbers, 1 Samuel, 1 Maccabees, Josephus, and the Mishnah for details of this vow). The law said a man could abrogate that vow during the betrothal period. But if he didn’t abrogate it by the marriage ceremony then it remained in force and she would remain a virgin. They would have a continent marriage. Joseph didn’t abrogate the vow.

[@catherinesarah5831]

It appears everyone is missing the point here. Sin is a creation of the church primarily for control. Remove “sin” from the church voids all its power & authority. Everyone is made of the image & likeness of God. No one has any greater spirits or graces than anyone else. God only creates perfection. Nothing more, nothing less, otherwise Unity in the one body of God wouldn’t be possible. 🙏

[@taintedwaste]

​@@catherinesarah5831 We're missing nothing, we don't need to hear your heresy! All you need to do is pick up a bible and even protestant versions would mention how humanity is tainted with original sin. Romans 5:12 Genesis 3 Psalm 51:5 Paul's Epistle to the Romans, 5:12-21 I'm not going to tell you what these verses say, you should read them yourself. If you deny sin, you deny the Bible, and you deny Christ for He Himself died to give us a chance of redemption of us humans and to forgive us our sins (which we accept with baptism, other sacraments, faith in God, and helping those in need to demonstrate we accepted his Gift of faith and grace)

[@StuartistStudio1964]

+++ Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Fruit of your womb. For you have borne for us the Salvation of our souls. Amen. +++

[@dennisharrington6055]

Thanks.

[@josephology3290]

Thanks! Now do one on the 4 Josephite doctrines please! 💪👍

[@ancheayuba808]

But this statement: 'birth giver of God'. "God created all things and without him was nothing made that was made". Pls shed more light on this statement

[@m_d1905]

The birth giver of the Word (Jesus) made flesh. She birthed the fleshly vessel of God. Not of God's divine attribute.

[@MewxPro]

Never been this early before

[@grahambull5245]

Are we not allowed to talk about JC’s earlier performances, cos I favor a pigeon pie.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Probably not good to put too much trust in books that the early Christians specifically left out of the Bible because of heresy.

[@grahambull5245]

@@BreakingInTheHabit oh those pesky Sýnodos tês Nikaías

[@m1chacha]

@@BreakingInTheHabit like the Protoevangelium of James? 😝

[@catherinesarah5831]

“……. left out of the Bible because of heresy” Or was it more Constantine’s need for utter control & power. Please list the heresies you claim were in these books to justify their non-inclusion. For a person in your position it is extremely poor form to use such a broad brush stroke sweeping everything that doesn’t conform to your biased analogy under the heresy carpet. You’re sounding more like a Jesuit every day 🙏

[@grahambull5245]

@@BreakingInTheHabit your more recent posts have been brilliant. Loved the flight post there is always a nun in the departure room… sorry. Sie I’m from another basis, but your recent posts have been ecumenical.

[@mandmm3906]

When I have struggled with how “The Church” loved me , I always looked to Jesus and the love of The Virgin. God chose her specifically. Her lineage , her goodness , her religion , her heritage…. Jesus is the Lord and Mary is his “humanity.” Without her , Jesus would not be corporeal. Im

[@riohenry6382]

I’m a recent revert and I’m overwhelmed with the Marian worship. It never dawned on me as a kid but now I say over 80 Hail Marys a day, and less than ten our Fathers (which is how we are taught to pray in the Bible). I’m really upset by this

[@Le_Trouvere]

80? How on earth are you managing that? That's wild

[@srich7503]

Yes! I think watching 4 hrs of TV or playing games is much more useful to our souls. NOT!!!

[@WC3isBetterThanReforged]

You don't have to say that many Hail Mary's in a day. There is no prescribed amount. I recite it usually once daily, usually one Our Father and spontaneous prayer throughout the day. Devotion to Mary is efficacious when it draws us closer to her son (to Jesus through Mary). Look at your heart posture. If Mary draws you closer to her son, then that is good. If you find the Hail Mary's detracting, slow down a bit. Don't abandon our mother but realize she is there to magnify the Lord.

[@Laurelin70]

And why on Earth do you Say so many Hail Mary? No Catholic is requested to do so. You have to revere Mary and you CAN pray to her, but it's not mandatory. I for example never had such a devotion, though I believe in her immaculate conception, her virginal and divine pregnancy and in her assumptions, and also in her power of intercession to Jesus/God. These are truths of Faith, the rosary and other Marian devotion are not.

[@lambification]

The Rosary is a vocal AND meditative prayer. You aren’t supposed to just recite the words of the prayers; you’re supposed to meditate on the mysteries (aka The Life of Jesus) as well. Do you meditate on the life of Christ while you go through the Hail Mary prayers? I’ve found the Rosary to be especially fruitful when I can look at an image or statue of Jesus or of Jesus and Mary together, because it helps me envision what it would be like to be in her position and what it was like for Jesus. I’ve been able to intellectually and emotionally feel closer to them through the Rosary

[@josephology3290]

You can’t love Jesus more than Mary and Joseph did and do!

[@johnslaughter5475]

Great video, Father. This would be a wonderful homily. I've read the Protoevangelium of James. It is a wonderful read. The description of Jesus's birth seems like something out of Star Trek. As Joseph and the midwife approached the cave, there was a bright flash of light. Transporter? This is totally tongue-in-cheek. While it's not mentioned in the Bible, Mary must've been with Elizabeth at the time of John's birth. Gabriel told Mary that Elizabeth was six months pregnant. When Mary went to visit, it is stated that she stayed there for three months.

[@jacktracy8356]

Colossians 2:8 KJV "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men (RCC traditions), after the rudiments of the world, and not after CHRIST (forgiven of all sin by GOD's grace through faith). 9 For in HIM dwells all the fulness of the GODHEAD BODILY. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, HE has quickened (made alive) together with HIM, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to HIS cross; 20 Wherefore if you be dead with CHRIST from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances, 21 touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of men (RCC traditions)?

[@m_d1905]

There were several Traditions in place before the scriptural canon was decided. So Tradition isn't evil for goodness sake.

[@jacktracy8356]

@@m_d1905 And this is what CHRIST said about them: Mark 7:9 KJV "And HE said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of GOD, that you may keep your own tradition. 13 making the Word of GOD of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things you do."

[@ereinei]

Ironically your entire argument is from your tradition.

[@m_d1905]

@@jacktracy8356 You realize that those putting forth these traditions came from the early church fathers and the ecumenical councils they called to debate and settle the traditions you dispise? Why are so many Protestants so dogmatic and legalistic? Jesus never was that legalistic.

[@jacktracy8356]

@@ereinei Are you saying Holy Scriptures inspired by GOD to be written are traditions??? Even the RCC calls them Holy Scriptures and says they are an authority of the RCC.

[@ambotnimo5367]

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen 🙏🙏🙏

[@MusicBlik]

What about James the Just? He is mentioned several times as being the brother of the Lord. Is there any reason (besides the Marian doctrines you discuss here) to assume he was NOT the half-brother of Jesus?

[@luispesqueralorenzo]

If he was, why not trusting the Virgin's protection to him, being him his very son too?

[@MusicBlik]

@@luispesqueralorenzo I don't quite know what you mean. My question was about the implications that James being Jesus' half brother would have on the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary.

[@m_d1905]

​@@MusicBlik Two different reasons James could be called the brother to Christ are 1) possibly a half brother (some older speculation was Joseph was a widower), or 2) he was a first cousin (first cousins in Jewish tradition were referred to as brothers. Not sure if either are correct, just a couple different things I heard growing up.

[@ereinei]

The biggest piece of evidence is that by Jewish law the eldest son inherited care of his mother. Jesus gave his mother to John and not to James or any other of his kin indicating they were not brothers but likely cousins or other kin. If James were his biological brother Jesus would have given Mary to him because the law required it and Jesus was perfect in the law.

[@TJ1920]

This is what I was brought up to believe

[@OrsonConrad]

You said she's mentioned in the gospels, but not in the rest of the New Testament. Acts 1:14 says that "Mary the mother of Jesus" was with Apostles, devoted in Prayer, but maybe that's a different Mary, mother of a different Jesus 😅

[@gap525660]

Pay attention to the Blessed Mother: She will always point the way to her Son

[@alexmburu830]

I don't think it is right for a christian to take the words of those who were trying to demean and had malicious intentions against our saviour jesus christ as a testimony to prove a point. For example the preceding words "son of mary" in this particular conversation have largely been used by some religion 😊😊 to fool many to come to a wrong conclusion when in the real sense what they are trying to say is jesus is not the son of GOD. So it is good to be careful not to be in the wrong side of conversation when quoting the bible.and this is why i think tradition is important because it explains more on what was going on in a particular given time inline with what is written in the bible.

[@nataliethomas444]

Please please react to the Hunchback of Notre dame-or at least the song The Bells of Notre Dame!

[@jacquelinewinter7312]

Thr Bible mentions 4 brothers by name, plus unnamed sisterS. So yes, Joseph had relations with her at some point

[@WC3isBetterThanReforged]

In the crucifixion accounts, there are three Marys: John writes that present are Jesus's mother and Mary the wife of Clopas/Cleopas. In Mark's account, he references Jesus's mother and a different Mary, the mother of James and Joses along with Mary Magdelene. The conclusion being that James and Joses are the sons of a different Mary, the one who was married to Clopas. If those two are referenced as Jesus's brothers without actually being his blood relatives, is it such as strech that Judas, Simon, and the anonymous sisters are also unrelated? Additionally, the word to describe those relations (adelphoi) is also used to describe the relationship between Abraham and Lot. Does that mean that Abraham was both Lot's uncle and brother?

[@srich7503]

Its called step brothers and sister. Mary marries Joseph who was previously married with children. Not uncommon in today’s society either.

[@lyndavonkanel8603]

Where is it written that they had children together?

[@mpkropf5062]

Brothers in Judaism didn’t mean blood brothers. But it meant relatives cousins and uncles. It doesn’t mean they were actually blood brothers. Many Protestant don’t know the Jewish culture!

[@jacobquaglino7497]

The Protestant view on Mary is blasphemy. It’s also not rooted in scripture at all whatsoever. Martin Luther would agree, to the surprise of many Protestants.

[@TJ1920]

Mother of God Immaculate Conception of Mary Never ever had this ever happened before Mary s husband Joseph was obedient to God the author of life Assumed into Heaven

[@luispesqueralorenzo]

If I'm not mistaken, she's alredy prophetized in Prophet Isaiah's book

[@JdSpoof]

Protestant here. I do not venerate or ask for intercession from Mary or the saints but I will defend the Catholics that do. Jesus himself said that whoever is not against him is for him and Mary, as far as it seems, always leads back to Christ.

[@loledssdafd3429]

Video on the gospel of mary?

[@stephenandersen4625]

At the Wedding at Cana I envision both God the Father and Joseph giving Jesus a little stink eye and telling Him to listen to His mother

[@RealBelisariusCawl]

The emphasis of Mother Mary doesn’t concern (confuse is a better word) me as much as the way Catholics view saints. I don’t understand sainthood, even if I DO respect it. I just have trouble with the idea of praying to the saints.

[@luispesqueralorenzo]

St Paul emphasised in praying for others, and since the dead in Christ are alive in soul, we still count them as brothers in faith who can still pray for us; therefore, considering they had an exemplary life when in Earth, we can recognise their virtudes as a guide and see their stories as an example, receiving our respect, love and recognition in the midst.

[@voodoolovedr]

Just going to ignore the gospels and New Testament mention Jesus having siblings James over here like “yo!”

[@HeatherFordHutto]

That's a translation issue. In some non-western societies, the same word is used for siblings and cousins. And even in some western languages, the same word may be used for multiple relationships. If I understand correctly, for example, 'neef' in Dutch can be both nephew and cousin.

[@georgepierson4920]

How is it that even the Reformers denied that Mary had other children after Jesus?

[@voodoolovedr]

@@HeatherFordHutto Greek has separate words for cousin and brother / sister. The New Testament uses the word for brother / sister

[@voodoolovedr]

@@georgepierson4920 I’m not sure, but if you look at the Greek translations they use the word for brother when describing the people it calls Jesus’ brothers, meaning that Joseph had children with Mary. (Which would make total sense considering the time and culture)

[@georgepierson4920]

@@voodoolovedr And yet, you overlook the fact that the Greeks do not teach that Mary had other children. Therefore, it is still a post Reformation tradition of men.

[@FernandoMartinez-ms6ls]

Mexicano=Guadalupano

[@daffidavit]

Although I believe St. John lept, or jumped while in his mother's womb, I doubt the leap was caused by telepathy or a miracle. More likely, the sudden adrenalin rush experienced by St. Elizabeth when She greeted Mary, quickly entered her placenta and into her baby's bloodstream causing the sudden jolt. Either way, it was true thus making the event scientifically plausible and likely. JMHO.