Catholic adherents supporting extra-biblical beliefs about Mary in Christian doctrine deny worship or a replacement of Jesus in the economy of salvation. They have to try to constantly clean her mouth out with soap for things she and her adherents have said in the past. The defense of Mary is usually centered around reinterpreting things said in the past so they are no longer blasphemous. Why does this problem never go away? Because it is not found in Scripture, but it is maintained that these beliefs about Mary are from tradition, leaving is no real standard to judge the things said. This is especially true of the ones that are so subtle to appeal to men seeking salvation through her. But, as you read there are major assumptions and presumptions in establishing these traditions. None of it them are based in Scripture or Jesus Christ, but actually replace both Him and His word
I am not going to spend a lot of time introducing this paper. Let her blasphemies and the blasphemies of the traditional saints of the past do that for me. What I expect is a lot of defense from Catholics saying, "This saint is no longer a saint" or "This one was decanonized" or "This was a mistake on the Catholic Church's part to allow this particular quote" or "That's not really what they were saying." The latter of these is a constant phrase used in defense of these traditions. One would wonder why they were never clearly stated to begin with. But, these are the traditions that the defense of Mary is built on. What one would expect is for Catholics in defense of Mary to have to disavow some of their traditions regarding the saints and their gospel of Mary.
My conclusion? I'll give it to you right from the beginning. The "Mary" defended today has a foundation on the words of these saints and these traditions, and the following clearly show blasphemies one after the other. These have been inspired by none other than spirits not of God, as a means to replace Jesus in the hearts of people seeking salvation and blinding their eyes to the gospel of grace and truth that came by Christ Jesus our Lord.
Truly, this Marian doctrine, beliefs and tradition fulfill the words of Jesus within Catholicism:
Mat 15:6 . . . Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Mat 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
The following are the waves of tradition on which the present popularity of Mary has rode in on. They show that Marian intercession is based on the supposed dividing of God's kingdom into two parts when Mary conceived Jesus: the execution of divine justice going to Jesus, and the distribution of divine mercy against that justice to Mary, with her becoming the place of refuge from God. This brings about a situation where, in Catholic tradition, the Kingdom of God has been divided and shall not stand. But, Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against the true Church. In the end, the Kingdom of God of Catholic tradition will not stand.
I used the book, "The Glories of Mary" by St. Alphonsus de Liguori as a source of these quotes, a saint still honored and read widely throughout the Catholic Community, from "The Complete Works of Saint Alphonsus De Liguori. Doctor of the Church, Bishop of St. Agatha, and Founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, trans. from The Italian, edited by rev. Eugene Grimm, Priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer: 'The Ascetical Works, Volumes VII and VIII in One: The Glories Of Mary,' Fourth reprint revised, Nihil Obstat: Arthur J. Scanlan, S.T.D, Imprimatur: +Patrick Cardinal Hayes, 1931."
The book of Ecclesiasticus or Book of Sirach is from the Catholic Scriptures, and not the Biblical book, Ecclesiastes. These verses are interpreted as Mary, not mentioning her specifically; where I place the words "see (whatever scripture)", these are scrptural truths according to God's word.
LIGUORI: "In me [Mary] is all hope of life and virtue" (St., Thomas, Doctor of the Church; Eccles. 24:25; see Col 1:5-6; p 27).
(Colossians 1:5-6 KJV) For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; {6} Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
LIGUORI: "Those who make a point of announcing to others the glories of Mary are certain of heaven" (St. Bonaventure; see 1 Tim. 6:12-16; Heb. 3:1; 4:14-15; 10:23; p 30).
(1 Timothy 6:12-16 KJV) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. {13} I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; {14} That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: {15} Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; {16} Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.(Hebrews 3:1 KJV) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
(Hebrews 4:14-15 KJV) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. {15} For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
LIGUORI: ". . . . to honor the Queen of Angels is to gain eternal life. . . . that this most gracious Lady will honor in the next world those who honor her in this" (Richard of St Laurence; see John 3:15-16; 12:26; p 30).
(John 3:15-16 KJV) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. {16} For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(John 12:26 KJV) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
LIGUORI: ". . . they that explain me [Mary] shall have eternal life" (Eccles. 24:31; applied to her by the Church in the office of the Immaculate Conception; see 1 John 5:20; p 30).
(1 John 5:20 KJV) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
LIGUORI: ". . . the whole of the sacred Scriptures speak in praise of Mary; let us therefore always with out hearts and tongues honor this divine Mother in order that we my be conducted by her into the kingdom of the blessed" (St. Bonaventure; see Rev. 5:12-13; Matthew 25:33-34; pp 30-31).
(Matthew 25:33-34 KJV) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. {34} Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:(Revelation 5:12-13 KJV) Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. {13} And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
LIGUORI: ". . . as the most sacred womb of Mary was the means of salvation for sinners, the hearing of her praises must necessarily convert them, and thus also be a means of their salvation:" (St. Anselm; see 1 Tim. 1:15; Titus 3:4-7; pp 32-33).
(1 Timothy 1:15 KJV) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.(Titus 3:4-7 KJV) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, {5} Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; {7} That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
LIGUORI: ". . . all graces are dispensed by Mary, and that all who are saved are saved only by the means of this divine Mother; it is a necessary consequence that the salvation of all depends upon preaching Mary, and exciting all to confidence in her intercession" (St. Alphonsus de Liguori; see 1 Cor. 1; Heb. 8:1; 10:21-23; p 32).
See 1 Corinthians 1: Christ Crucified.(Hebrews 8:1 KJV) Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
(Hebrews 10:21-23 KJV) And having an high priest over the house of God; {22} Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. {23} Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
LIGUORI: ". . . O blessed are they who bind themselves with love and confidence to these two anchors of salvation, Jesus and Mary. Certainly, they will not be lost" (De Liguori; see 1 Cor 6:16-17; p 33).
(1 Corinthians 6:16-17 KJV) What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. {17} But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
LIGUORI: "If the Son is a King, the Mother who begat him is rightly and truly considered a Queen and Sovereign" (St. Athanisius; see Rev 19:15-16; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev 20:6; p 35).
(2 Timothy 2:12 KJV) If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:(Revelation 19:15-16 KJV) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. {16} And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
(Revelation 20:6 KJV) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
LIGUORI: "No sooner had Mary consented to be Mother of the Eternal Word, than she merited by this consent to be made Queen of the world and of all creatures" (St. Bernardine of Sienna; see Rev. 18:7; p 35).
(Revelation 18:7 KJV) How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
LIGUORI: "Since the flesh of Mary was not different from that of Jesus, how can the royal dignity of the Son be denied to the Mother? . . . Hence we must consider the glory of the Son, not only as being common to His Mother, but as one with her" (Abbot Arnold of Chartes; see Isaiah 42:8; p 36).
(Isaiah 42:8 KJV) I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
LIGUORI: "And as Queen, she possesses, by right, the whole kingdom of her Son" (Abbot Rupert; see Jer. 13:18; Ps. 2; Isaiah 9:7; Lk. 1:31-33; 1 Cor. 15:24; p 36).
See Psalms 2.(Isaiah 9:7 KJV) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
(Jeremiah 13:18 KJV) Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.
(Luke 1:31-33 KJV) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. {32} He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: {33} And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
(1 Corinthians 15:24 KJV) Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
LIGUORI: ". . . as many creatures as there are who serve God, so they are who serve Mary: for as angels and men, and all things that in heaven and on earth, are subject to the empire of God, so are they also under the dominion of Mary!" (St. Bernardine of Sienna; see Eph. 1:19-23; p 36).
(Ephesians 1:19-23 KJV) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, {20} Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, {21} Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: {22} And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, {23} Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
LIGUORI: "Continue, Mary, continue to dispose with confidence of the riches of thy Son; act as Queen Mother and Spouse of the King; for to thee belongs dominion and power over all creatures" (Abbot Guerricus; see Eph. 1:20-21; p 36).
(Ephesians 1:20-21 KJV) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, {21} Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
LIGUORI: "The kingdom of God consists in power and mercy; reserving power to himself, he, in some way, yielded the empire of mercy to His Mother" (John Gerson, Chancellor of Paris; based on Ps lxi,12, that God divided His kingdom, giving power to Jesus and mercy to Mary; see 1 Tim. 1:16- 17; Rom. 9:18; p 37).
(Romans 9:18 KJV) Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.(1 Timothy 1:16-17 KJV) Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. {17} Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
LIGUORI: ". . . that when the Blessed Virgin conceived the Eternal Word in her womb, and brought him forth, she obtained half of the kingdom of God; so that she is Queen of Mercy, as Jesus Christ is King of Justice" (St. Thomas; see Matthew 6:13; p 38).
(Matthew 6:13 KJV) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
LIGUORI: ". . . that the Eternal Father gave the office of judge and avenger to the Son, and that of showing mercy and relieving the necessitous to the Mother" (Ernest, Archbishop of Prague; this was said to have been foretold by the prophet David himself in Ps xliv,8; see Heb 4:15-16; p 38).
(Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. {16} Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
LIGUORI: "[Mary is called the Queen of Mercy] because we believe that she opens the abyss of the mercy of God to whomever she wills, when she will, and as she wills; so that there is no sinner, however great, who is lost if Mary protects him" (St. Bernard; the implication is she protects the sinner from her avenging Son, as shown in the next quote; see 1 Peter 2:25; p 40).
(1 Peter 2:25 KJV) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
LIGUORI: "'Why should human frailty fear to go to Mary? In her there is no austerity, nothing terrible: she is all sweetness, offering milk and wool to all.' . . . the wool of her protection against the thunderbolts of divine justice" (De Liguori citing St. Bernard; see Romans 5:9; p 41).
(Romans 5:9 KJV) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
LIGUORI: "Have pity on us, then, O Queen of Mercy, and take charge of our salvation" (De Liguori; see Rev. 12:10; Acts 4:12; p 42).
(Acts 4:12 KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.(Revelation 12:10 KJV) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
LIGUORI: ". . . though Mary is under an infinite obligation to the Son for having chosen her to be his Mother, yet it cannot be denied that the Son is under great obligation to her for having given him his humanity: and therefore, Jesus, to pay as it were what he owes to Mary, and glorying in her glory, honors her in a special manner by listening to and granting all her petitions" (De Liguori; see 1 John 5:14-15; James 5:16; p 42).
(James 5:16 KJV) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.(1 John 5:14-15 KJV) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: {15} And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
LIGUORI: "I am the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of Mercy. . . . I am called by all the Mother of Mercy, and truly the mercy of my Son towards men has made me thus merciful towards them. . . and therefore miserable will he be, and miserable will he be to all eternity, who, in this life, having it in his power to invoke me, who am compassionate to all, and so desirous to assist sinners, is miserable enough not to invoke me, ad so is damned" (De Liguori citing the Blessed Lady's words to St. Bridget; Romans 10:13; 1 Cor. 1:2; p 43).
(Romans 10:13 KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.(1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
End of Part 1, taken from the first 46 pages of De Liguori's book, "The Glories of Mary."
