Explain the Catholic understanding of Mary’s role in salvation history and the Church’s practice of venerating saints.

• A. Mary is not honored as the Mother of God.
• B. Saints are venerated, not worshiped; Mary is honored as the Mother of God and model of faith; saints intercede for us.
• C. Mary is worshiped as a goddess.
• D. Saints have no role in intercession.

Answer: (C)

Catholic teaching distinguishes worship of God from veneration of Mary and the saints. Worship (latria) is due to God alone, while veneration (dulia) is shown to the saints, with Mary given a unique and elevated reverence (hyperdulia). Mary is honored as the Mother of God (Theotokos) because she bore and cooperated with God’s saving plan in faith, making her a central figure in salvation history without making her divine or the source of salvation herself. The Church holds that the saints, and Mary in particular, intercede for us; we ask them to pray on our behalf to God. This intercession is expressed in prayers and devotions that honor Mary and the saints and in liturgical rites, all while reserving worship for God alone. The idea that Mary is worshiped as a goddess is not part of Catholic teaching, and such a view is rejected. Instead, Mary’s veneration and the saints’ intercession are meant to deepen believers’ faith and unity with Christ.