Islam inside the Vatican

[Desdichado]

Yes, I have read John Paul II's Will and also many of his encyclicals. He's a Christian, without a doubt. He is devoted to the honor of our Lady, but never oversteps, and is extremely careful in making sure he does not overstep. In one of his encyclicals, he even comments on this saying, "Mary through Christ on the Cross becomes the Mother of the Church and therefore, our Mother. She watches over us, delivers our prayers, petitions for all mankind, seeking the salvation of souls. For Mary is like a compass, always directing us towards Christ, who is the magnetic north of the Universe. However, some do not understand and get lost. For some they only see Mary, and to those they find themselves lost without hope, and this pains her. Through Mary, many find Christ, who is the true object of our worship, for He is God Himself. This has ever been the position of this most holy of all saints, she like a compass points us directly to Christ."

Could you explain the concept of Mary being the mediatrix? I have had Catholic friends explain it to me before, so I know the rudiments well enough (enough to know I reject the idea that is), but I really like the cut of your jibb and think you may be able to explain it better than they.

It doesn't need to be here, necessarily. If you want to start a thread, quote a thread, etc post a link here or just PM me.

 

[ThomistColin]

Disclaimer: I am answering a question put forward to me about a belief within the Catholic Faith and my interpretation of it. I am not teaching as an authority that should be adhered to, but instead teaching what I and my fellow Catholics believe in response to a question of that fact.

Could you explain the concept of Mary being the mediatrix? I have had Catholic friends explain it to me before, so I know the rudiments well enough (enough to know I reject the idea that is), but I really like the cut of your jibb and think you may be able to explain it better than they.

It doesn't need to be here, necessarily. If you want to start a thread, quote a thread, etc post a link here or just PM me.

I think St. John of the Cross and Duns Scotus put it in its most simplistic terms. Mary stands a redemptrix and mediatrix. These titles make her neither God nor the most powerful of saints, but instead outline who we believe she is. Redemptrix because through her came Christ in the flesh. She has a hand in the redemption of the world, simply because she said, "Fiat!" Mediatrix is based on the wedding at Cana, and Christ's final words to her on the Cross. She was the one who prompted Christ's first miracle in His ministry. So, she stood then as a mediator between the couple at the feast and Jesus, the true bridegroom. Then comes the comment, "Woman, behold thy son." Catholicism believes that Mary was not simply given to John, but to all of Christ's disciples as mother, including us today. However, she is not our mediator between God and man, Scripture is clear that that title belongs to Jesus alone. In essence, we believe that she is consistently kneeling before the Throne of God praying for the salvation of souls.

 

[didymos]

(...)Mary stands a redemptrix and mediatrix. These titles make her neither God nor the most powerful of saints, but instead outline who we believe she is. Redemptrix because through her came Christ in the flesh. She has a hand in the redemption of the world, simply because she said, "Fiat!" (...)

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