Traditional Catholic Teaching - Lesson 18

Lesson 18 - Supplement A

Comments

The seventeen preceeding lessons may well have given some of our readers material reasons for not accepting the traditional doctrine of Christianity relating to those topics. We understand and respect each person's individual situation.

The topic of this lesson, for some, could also add to their list of difficulties. However, we believe that many problems non-Catholic people face with regard to the Mother of Jesus arise more from specific human cultural issues rather than the doctrine of the Church. Those of us who were converts to the Faith of Tradition warmed quickly to the many blessings associated with the inclusion of Mary in the full life of the Church. We found a completeness, a wholeness when Mary and St Joseph were given full place and honours in the spiritual life. We felt our former Christianity had split the family, literally, and removed much of the homely warmth and vigour so ebullient in traditional Catholic Family religious life. We make this point because it is here we want to invite our readers to allow themselves to see and experience freely the wonderful example Mary (whom we refer to as our Lady) offers in the Christian life.

We mentioned earlier that much of what unnerves Protestants when it comes to honour and devotion to Mary is caused by a clash of cultures rather than doctrine. For instance, certain Western cultures display great reserve in the way they express religious emotion. Others, on the contrary, are very unrestrained. Unfortunately, people from each of these can look at the other and criticise it for being so different. For our readers, the only way past this hurdle is consciously to examine their own attitudes and frame of mind.

We also recongnise that there are other deep seated objections to "having a devotion to" our Lady, or any saint for that matter. The traditional Christian belief in the Community of Saints as well as the legions of angels whom we can also ask to help us — all that this implies can well up in the mind of the Protestant and prohibit any open examination of the Church's ancient practice and belief. If this is the situation a reader experiences, there is help at hand to face these genuine difficulties. Our links provide a network of contacts around the world which we are confident would offer help and support. There is nothing to stop you contacting a priest to ask for an explanation of some topic. You will not be confronted with any embarrassing pressure or obligation.

We offer a Gospel meditation on a beautiful moment recorded by St Luke which gives us a unique glimpse of the Mother of Jesus bearing up under difficult circumstances and proving herself a model of humility, obedience, and above all, the most profound prayer.

End of Lesson 18 Supplement A

Supplement B: "Mary Pondered"

Appendix One: "Meditation by Bishop Prohaszka"

Appendix Two: "The Virgin Birth"

Appendix Three: "Ever Blessed Virgin"

Appendix Four: "The Perpetual Virginity of Mary"

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