Msg Base:  AREA 3  - ASK FATHER (AMDG)
  Msg No: 73.  Fri  9-18-92 11:36  (NO KILL)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Scott Spencer
 Subject: Mary

SS|Dear Father Mateo,
  |  I have a question concerning the veneration of Mary.  Why do Catholics
  |venerate her?  Although I do not question her importance in our faith, or
  |as an example of a servant of God; I do not understand why she is
  |venerated.  She is not shown in the Gospels or in Paul's letters that much
  |and I wonder where the theology of Mary is derived and how it has gotten
  |so extensive since we know so little about her.
  |  My second question is about the apparitions of Mary.  What does the
  |church say about this and how do you explain this?
  |  My final question concerns communion.  I am a United Methodist and I
  |went to a Catholic Mass and I was unable to partake of the Eucharist.  It
  |troubled me because I have always seen Catholics as my brothers and
  |sisters in Christ and yet I do not feel invited into the Eucharist.  Why
  |does the Church have this policy?
  |    Thank You for Your Time!!
  |    Grace and Mercy to You
  |    Scott Spencer
 
 
Dear Scott,
 
You have asked 3 questions, so you get 3 messages.  First, why do
we venerate Mary?  Please recall my message to you, #645 of 16 August,
1992 on this Ask Father conference.  You asked why we venerate the
Saints and pray to them.  Please also download my message #660 of 28
August, 1992 to Stephen Toth on the same subject.  Everything said in
these two messages applies also to the veneration and invocation of
Mary, who is the holiest saint of all, because she is full of grace
(Lk 1:28) and blessed among women, the Mother of the Lord (Lk 1:42, 45).
 
Actually, you have asked for a whole treatise on Catholic Mariology.
You can download Pope John Paul II's encyclical "Mother of the
Redeemer" from THE WESTERN DOMINICAN* - (510) 528 - 3928 - PCP CAOAK;
Church Documents and Other Files. The reference on that net is
MATER.ZIP  71,936  06-30-91  02-01-88.
 
If you want this encyclical in the form of a published booklet,
order:  John Paul II, "Mother of the Redeemer" EP 0765
        The price is $1.50 plus $2.50 postage, handling.
 
Order from: St. Paul Book and Media Center
            50 St. Paul's Avenue
            Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA 02130
 
                                        Sincerely in Christ,
 
                                        Father Mateo
 
* Or any Catholic Information Network node.