"Nehemiah6, posted
If this were true, then Mary would be ABSENT from Catholic theology, just as she is absent from non-Catholic theology.
The fact of the matter is that according to the Catholic Church Mary has taken a position which only belongs to Christ. So she is indeed VIRTUALLY worshiped by Catholics (particularly those who are rank-and-file Catholics). Salve Regina is an official Catholic hymnal prayer to Mary.
"Salve Regina was used in a variety of liturgical purposes, including as a processional hymn and as an end-of-day song. In addition, the Salve Regina is included in funeral Masses for priests, usually sung at the end of the ceremony by other priests attending the service."
"Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen) This is one of four Marian antiphons, with following versicles and prayers, traditionally said or sung after night prayer, immediately before going to sleep. It is said from the end of Eastertide until the beginning of Advent. "
And here is what it says:
Latin Text of the Salve Regina
Regina, mater misericordiae:
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus, exsules, filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, Advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos
ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis, post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens: O pia: O dulcis
Virgo Maria.
English Translation of the Salve Regina
Queen, mother of mercy:
our life, sweetness, and hope, hail.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To you we sigh, mourning and weeping
in this valley of tears.
Turn then, our advocate,
those merciful eyes
toward us.
And Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb,
after our exile, show us.
O clement, O loving, O sweet
Virgin Mary.
Divine mercy comes from God and Christ. Christ Himself is our Life and our Hope. And our divine Advocate in Heaven is Christ Himself. But here Mary has been given divine status as (1) "Queen", (2) "mother of mercy", (3) "our life", (4) "our hope", and (5) "our advocate". If this is not worship then we do not know the meaning of worship.
Don't you think this could be a sign of love and devotion { not worship} to a mother who brought into the world our Lord and Saviour. who also suffered the pain and agony of physically seeing her son hang on the cross even though she rejoices in the truth of our salvation. It was prophesied to her that her own soul shall be pierced with a sword so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:35. I cannot begin to imagine what she went through on that road to Calvary. I truly think she deserves all our devotion and love.