Entries tagged with “BVM” from Birettas and Thuribles
One of the largest misconceptions that I have had to fight is the idea of the Blessed Virgin Mary somehow being our conduit to the Almighty. This concept echoes back to the medieval concept that the people could not talk directly to God but had to go through the priest (who, in turn, went through the saints to speak to God). This concept has, thankfully, been clarified. I hope to expand upon Marian theology a bit to provide clarification.
Who is Mary?
The Blessed Virgin Mary is considered the theotokos or God-bearer, or Mother of God. Mary, contrary to popular Protestant myths, is not venerated as a part of the Godhead. She is venerated as the Mother of God but she is not worshiped. We worship the Triune God alone. Through out the Old Testament (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, Jeremiah 31:22) there is a prophecy of a virgin and the Messiah. In the Lucan narrative of Christ's birth, Mary, herself, asserts her virginity (Lk 1:32). Yet it is shown by the annunciation that she is chosen by God. One woman who said "Yes" to God was able to change the world. She is venerated for her willingness to say yes to God, even though it would bring a different life than she had anticipated. Simeon, in Lk 2:34-35, even foretold the suffering Mary must endure: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
Mary is often referred to as the Queen of Heaven. St. Ephrem in the fourth century referred to her as "Queen." Consider the words to the Hymn "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" - the entire 2nd verse is about Mary. "Oh thou higher than the Cherubim, more glorious than the Seraphim. Lead their praises!" By the sixth century the idea of Mary as Queen is pretty much set. Pope Pius XII made a feast in honour of the Queenship of Mary in 1954.
Church tradition and history has many stories of the Blessed Virgin appearing in apparition form and giving commands to pray the Rosary, or to do certain things. It is from these events that we get "Our Lady of (insert name here)." One of the closest to the Anglican Communion is Our Lady of Walsingham. Our Lady appeared to a Saxon woman named Richeldis de Faverches in the village of Walsingham. She was told to build the "Holy House" that was to be a replica of the house where the Annunciation occurred. Henry VIII ordered the destruction of many of the shrines and the dissolution of monastic abbies, priories, and hospitals. The Walsingham Shrine, the shrine of St. Thomas Becket, and the Shrine to Our Lady of Glastonbury were all destroyed. In 1897 the Slipper Chapel (The RC Walsingham Shrine) was rebuilt and soon after the "Holy House" was rebuilt and is now a major place of pilgrimage in the United Kingdom.
Why do we ask Mary to pray for us?
Intercessory prayer is a hallmark of Christianity. We ask people to pray for us for certain events in our life, we pray for the dead (for truly they are alive to God!), and we pray in times of crisis. Consider the words in the Epistle of St. James (5:13-14 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.) Does it not make sense to ask the holy saints to intercede on our behalf? Are they not elders to us, even beholding the throne of God as we toil here on Earth? We do not assert that one must pray to God through the saints, but rather we ask the saints to pray for us, just as we ask our friends and family to pray for us.
What are the Marian Feasts?
There are many Marian feasts- some recognised, and others not. The typical feasts that are widely recognised are: The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) - January 1st, The Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas) - February 2nd, The Annunciation of the BVM - March 25th (Translated this year to April 1), The VIsitation of the BVM - May 31st, The Assumption of the BVM (known as the Feast Day of the BVM in ECUSA) - August 15th, The Queenship of Mary - August 22nd, The Nativity of the BVM - September 8th, Our Lady of Walsingham - September 24th, and the feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8th.
Do I really need this in my spirituality?
In short, if this detracts from your relationship with God and Christ, then no, these acts of devotion and intercession of the saints may not be best for you. For some of us, however, they are a part of our spirituality and serve as an enhancement of sorts. Devotions with the saints is a part of Anglican worship and like "High Church" and "Low Church" it is a choice of the person as to if they wish to include it in their daily worship.
Who is Mary?
The Blessed Virgin Mary is considered the theotokos or God-bearer, or Mother of God. Mary, contrary to popular Protestant myths, is not venerated as a part of the Godhead. She is venerated as the Mother of God but she is not worshiped. We worship the Triune God alone. Through out the Old Testament (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, Jeremiah 31:22) there is a prophecy of a virgin and the Messiah. In the Lucan narrative of Christ's birth, Mary, herself, asserts her virginity (Lk 1:32). Yet it is shown by the annunciation that she is chosen by God. One woman who said "Yes" to God was able to change the world. She is venerated for her willingness to say yes to God, even though it would bring a different life than she had anticipated. Simeon, in Lk 2:34-35, even foretold the suffering Mary must endure: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
Mary is often referred to as the Queen of Heaven. St. Ephrem in the fourth century referred to her as "Queen." Consider the words to the Hymn "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" - the entire 2nd verse is about Mary. "Oh thou higher than the Cherubim, more glorious than the Seraphim. Lead their praises!" By the sixth century the idea of Mary as Queen is pretty much set. Pope Pius XII made a feast in honour of the Queenship of Mary in 1954.
Church tradition and history has many stories of the Blessed Virgin appearing in apparition form and giving commands to pray the Rosary, or to do certain things. It is from these events that we get "Our Lady of (insert name here)." One of the closest to the Anglican Communion is Our Lady of Walsingham. Our Lady appeared to a Saxon woman named Richeldis de Faverches in the village of Walsingham. She was told to build the "Holy House" that was to be a replica of the house where the Annunciation occurred. Henry VIII ordered the destruction of many of the shrines and the dissolution of monastic abbies, priories, and hospitals. The Walsingham Shrine, the shrine of St. Thomas Becket, and the Shrine to Our Lady of Glastonbury were all destroyed. In 1897 the Slipper Chapel (The RC Walsingham Shrine) was rebuilt and soon after the "Holy House" was rebuilt and is now a major place of pilgrimage in the United Kingdom.
Why do we ask Mary to pray for us?
Intercessory prayer is a hallmark of Christianity. We ask people to pray for us for certain events in our life, we pray for the dead (for truly they are alive to God!), and we pray in times of crisis. Consider the words in the Epistle of St. James (5:13-14 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.) Does it not make sense to ask the holy saints to intercede on our behalf? Are they not elders to us, even beholding the throne of God as we toil here on Earth? We do not assert that one must pray to God through the saints, but rather we ask the saints to pray for us, just as we ask our friends and family to pray for us.
What are the Marian Feasts?
There are many Marian feasts- some recognised, and others not. The typical feasts that are widely recognised are: The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) - January 1st, The Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas) - February 2nd, The Annunciation of the BVM - March 25th (Translated this year to April 1), The VIsitation of the BVM - May 31st, The Assumption of the BVM (known as the Feast Day of the BVM in ECUSA) - August 15th, The Queenship of Mary - August 22nd, The Nativity of the BVM - September 8th, Our Lady of Walsingham - September 24th, and the feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8th.
Do I really need this in my spirituality?
In short, if this detracts from your relationship with God and Christ, then no, these acts of devotion and intercession of the saints may not be best for you. For some of us, however, they are a part of our spirituality and serve as an enhancement of sorts. Devotions with the saints is a part of Anglican worship and like "High Church" and "Low Church" it is a choice of the person as to if they wish to include it in their daily worship.
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