The Importance of Having a Devotion to the Mary

Catholics have a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary for several reasons, including her unique role in salvation history, her exemplary life of faith, and her intercessory power.

Firstly, Catholics believe that Mary played a unique and indispensable role in the salvation of the world by giving birth to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. She is called the Mother of God because Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. Her cooperation with God's plan for salvation is seen as a model of faith and obedience for all Christians.

Secondly, Mary's exemplary life of faith and devotion to God serves as an inspiration to Catholics. She is held up as a model of holiness and virtue, and her humility, purity, and charity are seen as examples for all Christians to follow.

Devotion to Mary is important because it helps us focus on what truly matters to God.  He chose a humble, poor, and (by worldly assessment) insignificant girl to bring forth His greatest revelation of Himself in His Son.  Mary is the quintessential disciple of Christ; she is NOT just like the rest of us.  In her humanity, yes, she is like us.  But her devotion to the Lord was single-minded from the moment of her Immaculate Conception.

Thirdly, Catholics believe that Mary has a special intercessory power with her Son, Jesus Christ. They believe that Mary, as a loving mother, cares for her children and is always ready to help them. They ask for her prayers and assistance in their spiritual journeys and in their daily lives.

We see an Old Testament foreshadowing of the Blessed Mother’s intercessory power with Bathsheba and Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:5-6).  She is also spoken of as God’s ‘servant-girl’ in Wisdom 9:5. Employing the same term used by Mary at the Annunciation account. Thus, Mary is the true interceding queen-mother of the true king, Jesus Our Lord.

Devotion to Mary Expressed

Catholics express their devotion to Mary in various ways, such as through prayer, pilgrimages to Marian shrines, the recitation of the Rosary, and the celebration of Marian feasts. These devotions are not meant to replace worship of God or belief in the salvific power of Jesus Christ but are rather an expression of love and gratitude towards Mary, who is seen as a loving mother and a powerful intercessor.

In summary, Catholics have a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary because of her unique role in salvation history, her exemplary life of faith, and her intercessory power with her Son, Jesus Christ. Catholics express their devotion to Mary through various devotions and practices, which serve to deepen their relationship with God and their love for Mary as a loving mother and faithful disciple of Christ.

And in fact, St. Philip Neri was a HUGE proponent of Marian devotion.  Thus, there are many quotes of his that are recorded regarding the importance of having a devotion to Mary.  Check out our store to see some of the Marian quotations stated by the holy St. Philip.

“Be devoted to Mary. I know what I am saying.  Be devoted to Mary!”

-St. Philip Neri