Do Catholics give Mary the place of God? A few months ago I visited a house where the wife of the owner who had just died was being watched over. I was carrying my rosario and noticing that there were no people praying, I suggested that they join me to pray for his eternal rest. Three people followed me and the others...left the room!
Noticing my confusion, one of the people who stayed with me said, "Go on, they are Christians."
He meant: "Protestants". For we Catholics are eminently Christian. It is our Protestant brethren (separated brethren) who accuse us of practicing idolatry by venerating the Blessed Virgin Mary. No, we do not worship her, we worship God alone. We love and venerate Mary.
Every August 15 we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary and the Church invites us to consecrate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart. To consecrate ourselves to Mary means to give ourselves to her. To give her our will and ask her to inspire us.
Mary as a model
St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort wrote a treatise on true devotion to Mary, in which he denounces false or erroneous practices and speaks to us of the only true devotion that consists in imitating her virtues. He invites us to treat Mary as Jesus Christ did and to see her as a model on our path of sanctification.
Moreover, having her as our intercessor, we become the best version of ourselves. In our daily lives we ask her what she would do, how she would say it, whom she would consult. This translates into a better character and a more humane treatment of others. Less "ego" and more detachment and service.
Those who have a true devotion to Mary are witnesses of her powerful intercession and there are many manifestations of gratitude that she receives for miracles obtained by asking for her help and favor.
Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
St. Louis Mary speaks of the fruits that come after we have consecrated ourselves to her Immaculate Heart:
1) Self-knowledge. Thanks to the light that the Holy Spirit will communicate to you through Mary, you will know your own strengths but also your weaknesses and falls. The humble Mary will share with you her profound humility and, through her, you will not despise anyone and you will eliminate the emotional torment of being despised.
2) Participation in Mary's faith. Your whole life will be founded on true faith: A pure faith, which will make you not worry about what is sensible. A living faith that will make you act always with the purest love.
3) Christian maturity. In your behavior with God, you will no longer be governed by fear, but by love. You will look upon him as your loving Father, you will strive to please him unceasingly.
4) Great trust in God and in Mary. Having given her all your merits, graces and satisfactions so that she may dispose of them according to her will, she will communicate her virtues to you and clothe you with her merits, and you will be able to say to God with full confidence, "This is Mary, your servant! Let it be done to me, according to what you have said!"
Prayer to Mary
Let us say together this beautiful prayer found in the liturgy of the hours:
"Lend me Mother your eyes, so that with them I may see
For if I look with them, I will never sin again.
Lend me, Mother, your lips, so I can pray with them
For if I pray with them, Jesus will hear me.
Lend me Mother your arms, so I can work
That it will do the job over and over again.
Lend me, Mother, your mantle, to cover my wickedness
For covered with your mantle, I shall reach heaven.
Lend me your Son, Mother, so that I may love Him,
For if you give me Jesus, what more can I desire,
That will be my joy, for all eternity!
Amen.
