On Some Catholic Beliefs I am not an authority on this topic but I just want to tell about my personal experiences and opinions regarding the topic. People of different faiths from ours question and deride our veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary and other saints. For instance, they keep harping against our calling Mama Mary, the Mother of God. Now, let’s suppose you are the President of the Philippines, wouldn’t your mom be the mother of the president? Isn’t your mom the mother of a doctor if you are a doctor? And wont it grieve, disappoint, even, anger you if your mother is denigrated and not respected; rejected as such, instead ? Why can’t some people believe that Mama Mary is truly the Mother of God and yet they believe that Jesus is God? They say that all their beliefs are based on the Holy Bible. And from the Bible, in Mat. 1: 18, 21, 23. 2: 11, 13, 20, 21; in Luke 1: 28, 29-34; 38, 42-55. 2: 34, and many more, Mary is repeatedly mentioned as the mother of Jesus and we know that Jesus is God. So, being her Beloved Son, would it be unbelievable that Jesus would want to help His people, grant them their petitions, heal them, and bless them through His Mother’s intercessions? Did He not perform His first miracle during the wedding in Canaan at His Mother’s request? Is it so surprising that He should have her honored as the Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mother of Perpetual Help and the numerous titles through her apparitions and the miracles that happened in places like Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal, Guadalupe in Mexico, Medjugorje in Bosnia-Hersigovina and many more? God uses the saints and angels as His instruments to help His people. I can’t vouch for others but for myself, I have experiences of having been helped through the prayers of certain saints. For instance, my children and I passed several exams after prayers for help through St. Jude and Mama Mary. When I lose something I call for St. Anthony and I invariably find the object I lost. Mama Mary and Padre Pio both help my family over some illnesses, aches and pains. I know that St. Michael, the Archangel, and the holy guardian angels are watching over my family members. I’m sure you do remember that for so many years we used to be centrally hit by strong typhoons. I’m sure I’m not alone in noting that for several years now we’ve not been directly hit by the typhoons that have raged over the country. Typhoon Millenio was so strong but, thank God, we took only its side sweeps even though it still was quite strong. You may not believe it as I do that typhoons have bypassed us since the Shrine of San Lorenzo was installed in our town. I always pray for his help when a typhoon is a-brewing and, thank God, He listens to San Lorenzo’s intercessions. There is only one Mother of God whom we fondly address as Mama Mary. But she has so many titles because of the many places where she appeared and the multifarious good things that she does. The patron saint of our town is Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Holy Virgin is also Our Lady of Lourds or Lourdes. Our Lady of Medjugorje, Lady of Peñafrancia, Lady of Fatima, of Guadalupe, of the Pilar, of Salvacion, of the Immaculate Concepcion, of the Sorrowful Heart, of the Assumption, of the Miraculous Medal, Mediatrix of all Graces, Queen of Peace and Good Voyage, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth and others. This is where we are often misunderstood. We must admit that not all Catholics know that all those titles are just for one saint - Mama Mary – the Mother of Jesus. We are also mistakenly accused of being idolatrous in their belief that we adore the images in our churches or our houses as god. Indeed it is a grievous mistake if we believe those images and stampas are our god. They are there only as reminders of the saints we are venerating or of Jesus, our Lord, just as we treasure pictures of our loved ones and honor the statues of our heroes. So, it does not mean that I believe more on Mama Mary and the other Saints than on God just because my prayers through them are answered. They are just there as God’s instruments in reaching his beloved children with his immeasurable, unconditional love and mercy. Come to think of it. God uses even sinful you and I as His instruments at times, doesn’t He? so, why not Mama Mary and the venerable Saints and Angels?
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 11:53:02 +0000