Do Catholics Worship Mary?

"Do Catholics worship Mary, or is there a difference between worship and veneration?"

4 Scripture passages4 objections answered3 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

Catholics do not worship Mary. The Church distinguishes between latria (worship due to God alone), dulia (veneration of saints), and hyperdulia (special honor given to Mary as Mother of God). This distinction has been clearly taught since the earliest centuries of Christianity.

Quick Overview

Think of it this way: if you ask your friend to pray for you, you're not worshiping your friend. Catholics do the same with Mary and the saints - we ask them to pray for us. We honor Mary greatly because she's Jesus's mother, but we only worship God. It's like how you might deeply respect and honor your own mother without confusing her for God.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

Luke 1:48

"Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."

Why This Matters

Mary prophesies that all generations will honor her, which Catholics fulfill through veneration, not worship.

Exodus 20:3

"Thou shalt not have strange gods before me."

Why This Matters

Catholics fully affirm this commandment. Worship (latria) is given to God alone, never to Mary or any saint.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

"I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men: For kings and for all that are in high station."

Why This Matters

Scripture commands asking others to pray for us. Asking Mary to pray is an extension of this biblical practice.

Romans 12:10

"Loving one another with the charity of brotherhood: with honour preventing one another."

Why This Matters

We are called to honor one another. Honoring Mary as the Mother of our Lord is fitting and biblical.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

Worship (latria) is due to God alone (CCC 2096-2097). Veneration (dulia) is the honor given to saints and angels, while hyperdulia is the special veneration given to Mary because of her unique role as Mother of God. The Second Council of Nicaea (787 AD) clarified that the honor given to images passes to the prototype, and that true worship is reserved for God alone. As the Catechism states: 'The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship' (CCC 971), yet 'this very special devotion differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit' (CCC 971).

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Epiphanius of Salamis

c. 375 AD

"Let Mary be held in honor. Let the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be worshiped, but let no one worship Mary... Even though Mary is most beautiful and holy and venerable, yet she is not to be worshiped."

— Panarion 79.7

St. Augustine

c. 400 AD

"When we honor the martyrs, we honor Christ whose martyrs they are. We honor the servants that the honor may reflect upon the Lord."

— Contra Faustum 20.21

St. John Damascene

c. 730 AD

"We do not worship matter, but the Creator of matter who became matter for our sake... I do not worship creation rather than the Creator, but I worship the one who became a creature."

— On the Divine Images 1.16

Just War

Saints & Mediation

Earn Points

Ready to claim your points!

Share This Teaching

Help others discover the biblical basis for Catholic beliefs