Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uwm.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: cms@dragon.uucp Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: 'Veneration of the 'Saints'' Message-ID: Date: 18 Jul 90 09:03:34 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Computer Projects Unlimited Lines: 43 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article , ileaf!io!enos!lae@eddie.mit.edu (Larry Enos) writes: > As a former Catholic who attended parachiol school under the Jesuits > and the Sisters of Saint Joseph (the intellectual elite of the > Catholic clergy), I can state that what is described in this booklet > is essentially what we were taught. For example, we were frequently > encouraged to make special devotions to Mary and other saints (e.g., > by attending masses or performing special prayer rituals) to obtain > specific blessings. Likewise, we were told that everytime the Lord > closes a door, Mary opens a window, which implies that she is more merciful > than Jesus. > > Therefore, despite what some Catholics say to defend the so-called > `veneration' of saints, I can testify that, in actual practice, it is > nothing more than idolatry. Like many beliefs and practices, anything can become superstitious, including the Holy Eucharist, Baptism, or any other Sacrament. There is an attitude that Mary's prayers stay the wrathful hand of Jesus, which is a wrongful attitude. David's prayers stayed the wrathful hand of God, so Mary's prayers stay the wrathful hand of God; Jesus's atoning sacrifice lifted the wrathful hand of God. Nonetheless, Jesus Christ is God, one with Father, and the Holy Spirit. I would say rather that Mary prays for the mercy of Jesus to be expressed. It isn't so much that God is wrathful than that he decides for or against the expression of mercy. In our prayers, we discover that God is a God of mercy and desires "mercy not sacrifice." So, he withheld mercy from his only Son, who became a perfect sacrifice for the whole world, so the whole world could be shown mercy through Him. Mary prayers, again, like the prayers of all saints, do not stay the wrathful hand of God so much as they encourage the mercy of God. To venerate a saint *without* doing so for the greater glory of God certainly is idolatry and condemned by all the Catholic Churches. After all, we only venerate saints who worshipped God. -- Sincerely, Cindy Smith _///_ // SPAWN OF A JEWISH _///_ // _///_ // <`)= _<< CARPENTER _///_ //<`)= _<< <`)= _<< _///_ // \\\ \\ \\ _\\\_ <`)= _<< \\\ \\ \\\ \\ <`)= _<< >IXOYE=('> \\\ \\ \\\ \\_///_ // // /// _///_ // _///_ // emory!dragon!cms <`)= _<< _///_ // <`)= _<< <`)= _<< \\\ \\<`)= _<< \\\ \\ \\\ \\ GO AGAINST THE FLOW! \\\ \\ A Real Live Catholic in Georgia