Changes

People at first carried 150 pebbles in a small leather pouch or in their pocket. With each devoutly prayed "[[The Lord's Prayer|Our Father]]" they would take one pebble out, or put one in. However, pebbles can be dropped and lost, so they adopted the use of a thin rope with 150 knots, moving from knot to knot and praying the "Our Father" on each knot until the end. Eventually they found that a string with 150 wooden beads was an easier tool, or implement, to use. This is [[Analogy|analogous]] to singing or playing a long piece of [[sacred]] [[music]] or a [[hymn]] with 150 verses out of love of God. Many churches in worship sing favorite old hymns of prayer and praise again and again, and people at home might recite favorite old poems of faith and devotion again and again. For the same reason, many Christians love personally reciting the [[Psalm 23|23rd Psalm]] and the Lord's Prayer frequently through the day, to keep their hearts attuned to the will and love of God.

People at first carried 150 pebbles in a small leather pouch or in their pocket. With each devoutly prayed "[[The Lord's Prayer|Our Father]]" they would take one pebble out, or put one in. However, pebbles can be dropped and lost, so they adopted the use of a thin rope with 150 knots, moving from knot to knot and praying the "Our Father" on each knot until the end. Eventually they found that a string with 150 wooden beads was an easier tool, or implement, to use. This is [[Analogy|analogous]] to singing or playing a long piece of [[sacred]] [[music]] or a [[hymn]] with 150 verses out of love of God. Many churches in worship sing favorite old hymns of prayer and praise again and again, and people at home might recite favorite old poems of faith and devotion again and again. For the same reason, many Christians love personally reciting the [[Psalm 23|23rd Psalm]] and the Lord's Prayer frequently through the day, to keep their hearts attuned to the will and love of God.

Soon after the development of this prayer-devotion of the 150 "Our Father"s, others began likewise using the "Angelic Salutation" (Luke 1:28). This was first mentioned as a devotion in Europe by St. Peter Damian, who died in 1072. This initial form of an abbreviated substitute for the chanted prayers of the Psalter was recommended as a devout remembrance of the wondrous, incomprehensible [[miracle]] of the [[Incarnation]] of God the Son when the angel [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] came to Mary in [[Nazareth]] and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you"<ref>Luke 1:28</ref>. Because Gabriel addressed Mary directly, her name was added to his salutation and said after the initial "Hail".<ref>See [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hail "hail" definition (dictionary.com)]</ref> Saying this simple "Angelic Salutation" 150 times for the 150 Psalms of prophesy, with a devout intention of honoring the Incarnation and the mother of Jesus in praise of God, was deemed to be sufficient, because of its profound spiritual meaning within the whole of the mystery of salvation, and because it was uttered by an angel from heaven sent by God, Gabriel himself. He was the same angel who had appeared to the prophet Daniel. The simplest and most ignorant peasant could thus offer up his or her prayer of the heart in union with the official daily prayer of the whole Church to God, using words brought from heaven itself, remembering that the [[Logos|Word]] was made flesh and dwelt among us. The mouth uttered praise, and the mind was directed to the mystery of the Incarnation and the wonder of our salvation. It is also much shorter than the Our Father, and thus took less time. Many people prayed the "Angelic Salutation" with devotion, while others, equally devout, preferred the "Our Father".

Soon after the development of this prayer-devotion of the 150 "Our Father"s, others began likewise using the "Angelic Salutation" (Luke 1:28). This was first mentioned as a devotion in Europe by St. Peter Damian, who died in 1072. This initial form of an abbreviated substitute for the chanted prayers of the Psalter was recommended as a devout remembrance of the wondrous, incomprehensible [[miracle]] of the [[Incarnation]] of God the Son when the angel [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] came to Mary in [[Nazareth]] and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you".<ref>Luke 1:28</ref> Because Gabriel addressed Mary directly, her name was added to his salutation and said after the initial "Hail".<ref>See [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hail "hail" definition (dictionary.com)]</ref> Saying this simple "Angelic Salutation" 150 times for the 150 Psalms of prophesy, with a devout intention of honoring the Incarnation and the mother of Jesus in praise of God, was deemed to be sufficient, because of its profound spiritual meaning within the whole of the mystery of salvation, and because it was uttered by an angel from heaven sent by God, Gabriel himself. He was the same angel who had appeared to the prophet Daniel. The simplest and most ignorant peasant could thus offer up his or her prayer of the heart in union with the official daily prayer of the whole Church to God, using words brought from heaven itself, remembering that the [[Logos|Word]] was made flesh and dwelt among us. The mouth uttered praise, and the mind was directed to the mystery of the Incarnation and the wonder of our salvation. It is also much shorter than the Our Father, and thus took less time. Many people prayed the "Angelic Salutation" with devotion, while others, equally devout, preferred the "Our Father".

Some [[medieval]] [[theologian]]s of the 13th century, by deep [[meditation]] and [[Hermeneutics|skillful interpretation]] of the 150 Psalms saw in them veiled, or [[Allegory|allegorical]], prophesies about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. They began to compose 150 ''praises of Jesus'' based on interpretations of the 150 Psalms, and offering them as "Psalters of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". Soon, to honor his mother also, 150 praises of Mary were also composed as "Psalters of Our Lady [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary Mother of Our Lord]]". A shorter Psalter of 50 Marian praises was commonly called a bouquet of spiritual fragrance, offered from the heart like a bouquet of roses, in [[Latin]] a "''rosarium''". Many mothers receive bouquets of flowers on [[Mother's Day]], and songs are sung in honor of them, in fulfillment of the commandment to "Honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12). Defenders of devotion to Mary point out that sons are pleased when their mothers are honored, and that when a woman in the crowd blessed his mother, Jesus the Son of Mary agreed, but he also said, "Yes! Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28), and they point out that Elizabeth, [[Inspiration|inspired]] by the [[Holy Spirit]] Himself, also said, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord!" (Luke 1:45). Mary herself testified, "Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed!" (Luke 1:48). And they note that Jesus also said, "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, '''and mother'''" (Matthew 12:50). And to the one who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus included the commandment, "Honor your father and mother" (Matthew 19:19). They conclude that to honor Mary the mother of Jesus is to honor and please Jesus himself, God the Son, who chose Mary and honored her above all others, by making her his own mother and becoming incarnate in her womb, and being obedient to her (Luke 2:51), a unique [[privilege]] given to no one else. Because she heard the word of God and kept it, and therefore she certainly did the will of God, they reason that, according to the Bible, by Jesus' own testimony, she is therefore most truly his mother, not only by nature, but by her doing the will of his Father in heaven.  

Some [[medieval]] [[theologian]]s of the 13th century, by deep [[meditation]] and [[Hermeneutics|skillful interpretation]] of the 150 Psalms saw in them veiled, or [[Allegory|allegorical]], prophesies about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. They began to compose 150 ''praises of Jesus'' based on interpretations of the 150 Psalms, and offering them as "Psalters of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". Soon, to honor his mother also, 150 praises of Mary were also composed as "Psalters of Our Lady [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary Mother of Our Lord]]". A shorter Psalter of 50 Marian praises was commonly called a bouquet of spiritual fragrance, offered from the heart like a bouquet of roses, in [[Latin]] a "''rosarium''". Many mothers receive bouquets of flowers on [[Mother's Day]], and songs are sung in honor of them, in fulfillment of the commandment to "Honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12). Defenders of devotion to Mary point out that sons are pleased when their mothers are honored, and that when a woman in the crowd blessed his mother, Jesus the Son of Mary agreed, but he also said, "Yes! Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28), and they point out that Elizabeth, [[Inspiration|inspired]] by the [[Holy Spirit]] Himself, also said, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord!" (Luke 1:45). Mary herself testified, "Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed!" (Luke 1:48). And they note that Jesus also said, "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, '''and mother'''" (Matthew 12:50). And to the one who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus included the commandment, "Honor your father and mother" (Matthew 19:19). They conclude that to honor Mary the mother of Jesus is to honor and please Jesus himself, God the Son, who chose Mary and honored her above all others, by making her his own mother and becoming incarnate in her womb, and being obedient to her (Luke 2:51), a unique [[privilege]] given to no one else. Because she heard the word of God and kept it, and therefore she certainly did the will of God, they reason that, according to the Bible, by Jesus' own testimony, she is therefore most truly his mother, not only by nature, but by her doing the will of his Father in heaven.  

In 1500 for the first time, inexpensive woodblock prints could be made of pictures of the events meditated upon in praying the Rosary. Since the vast majority of the common people were still illiterate these picture rosaries were immensely popular, as a form of directed meditation on the events of our salvation, much easier than attempting to memorize them. But it was difficult and expensive to draw and then print reproductions of 150 different pictures for each of the 150 Hail Marys for each new edition. The ten pictures for each of the ten thoughts in each decade were printed around the words and picture of the Our Father at the beginning of each decade. This was the time of the printing of the [[Gutenberg Bible]] and the beginning of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. It was also the century of the reported 1531 apparition in Mexico of [[Our Lady of Guadalupe]]. But gradually, during the 16th and 17th centuries, the use of 150 distinct meditative thoughts gradually died out, and only the 15 brief Our Father thoughts, one for each entire decade of 10 Hail Marys, were printed in the picture rosaries. These fifteen became known as the mysteries of the rosary, because they directly represent the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption in the lives of Jesus and Mary for our salvation. A Christian mystery is a reality that is not against the human understanding, or violates human intelligence, but it also surpasses and is above it.<ref>There are many things in [[science]] too which are known, but which have not been fully explained, and remain mysterious. See for example [http://listverse.com/2013/02/28/10-unsolved-mysteries-of-science/ 10 Unsolved Mysteries of Science] and [[Gravitation]].</ref>

In 1500 for the first time, inexpensive woodblock prints could be made of pictures of the events meditated upon in praying the Rosary. Since the vast majority of the common people were still illiterate these picture rosaries were immensely popular, as a form of directed meditation on the events of our salvation, much easier than attempting to memorize them. But it was difficult and expensive to draw and then print reproductions of 150 different pictures for each of the 150 Hail Marys for each new edition. The ten pictures for each of the ten thoughts in each decade were printed around the words and picture of the Our Father at the beginning of each decade. This was the time of the printing of the [[Gutenberg Bible]] and the beginning of the [[Protestant Reformation]]. It was also the century of the reported 1531 apparition in Mexico of [[Our Lady of Guadalupe]]. But gradually, during the 16th and 17th centuries, the use of 150 distinct meditative thoughts gradually died out, and only the 15 brief Our Father thoughts, one for each entire decade of 10 Hail Marys, were printed in the picture rosaries. These fifteen became known as the mysteries of the rosary, because they directly represent the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption in the lives of Jesus and Mary for our salvation. A Christian mystery is a reality that is not against the human understanding, or violates human intelligence, but it also surpasses and is above it.<ref>There are many things in [[science]] too which are known, but which have not been fully explained, and remain mysterious. See for example [http://listverse.com/2013/02/28/10-unsolved-mysteries-of-science/ 10 Unsolved Mysteries of Science] and [[Gravitation]].</ref>

The [[Sign of the Cross]] and the [[Apostles' Creed]] were added to the beginning of the rosary by the authority of the [[Magisterium]] of the Church, as an affirmation of the fullness of the orthodox and [[catholic]] Christian faith and to prevent superstitious abuse of a sacramental<ref>"superstitious abuse of a sacramental". The added emphasis on orienting the recitation of the Rosary to orthodox Christian doctrine in the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed at the very beginning of the prayer, was pastorally mandated as a counter to any tendency on the part of ignorant people to turn it into a [[Superstition|superstitious]] [[Magic|talisman]] divorced and separated from God, the uttering of [[magic]]al words, apart from Christ and the Church, and to remind them of the faith in God they should always profess and give witness to. A sacramental is devotional practice or a religious object blessed in the name of God, officially approved by the Magisterium which predisposes the individual who uses it properly to live a life of grace, as does reverent Bible-reading and other acts of [[piety]].</ref>. The addition of the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed along with three Hail Mary prayers, one each for an increase of [[Faith]], an increase of [[Hope]], and an increase of [[Charity]], in the world and in one's own life as a Christian, as a preparatory introduction before beginning the series of 5 or 15 decades, and a "Glory Be" at the end of each decade—  

The [[Sign of the Cross]] and the [[Apostles' Creed]] were added to the beginning of the rosary by the authority of the [[Magisterium]] of the Church, as an affirmation of the fullness of the orthodox and [[catholic]] Christian faith and to prevent superstitious abuse of a sacramental.<ref>"superstitious abuse of a sacramental". The added emphasis on orienting the recitation of the Rosary to orthodox Christian doctrine in the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed at the very beginning of the prayer, was pastorally mandated as a counter to any tendency on the part of ignorant people to turn it into a [[Superstition|superstitious]] [[Magic|talisman]] divorced and separated from God, the uttering of [[magic]]al words, apart from Christ and the Church, and to remind them of the faith in God they should always profess and give witness to. A sacramental is devotional practice or a religious object blessed in the name of God, officially approved by the Magisterium which predisposes the individual who uses it properly to live a life of grace, as does reverent Bible-reading and other acts of [[piety]].</ref> The addition of the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed along with three Hail Mary prayers, one each for an increase of [[Faith]], an increase of [[Hope]], and an increase of [[Charity]], in the world and in one's own life as a Christian, as a preparatory introduction before beginning the series of 5 or 15 decades, and a "Glory Be" at the end of each decade—  

:"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."

:"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."

—and an added conclusive ending with a ''Salve Regina'', "Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy," a prayer crying to her, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ who is mercy from God, as an [[advocate]] blessed by God, to look on us with mercy and pray for us to God, and after our deaths to show to us Jesus himself our Savior, and finally ending with a closing prayer to God alone, acknowledging his gift of unmerited salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Son of God:

—and an added conclusive ending with a ''Salve Regina'', "Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy," a prayer crying to her, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ who is mercy from God, as an [[advocate]] blessed by God, to look on us with mercy and pray for us to God, and after our deaths to show to us Jesus himself our Savior, and finally ending with a closing prayer to God alone, acknowledging his gift of unmerited salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Son of God:

We end by holding the crucifix in our hands as we pray the Sign of the Cross.<ref>[https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/scripture-and-tradition/devotions/praying-the-rosary?p=1 Praying the Rosary - Loyola Press (loyolapress.com)]</ref>}}  

We end by holding the crucifix in our hands as we pray the Sign of the Cross.<ref>[https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/scripture-and-tradition/devotions/praying-the-rosary?p=1 Praying the Rosary - Loyola Press (loyolapress.com)]</ref>}}  

===Mysteries of the Rosary===

===Mysteries of the Rosary===

====The Joyful Mysteries====  

====The Joyful Mysteries====

Said on Mondays and Saturdays, and Sundays of the Christmas Season.  

Said on Mondays and Saturdays, and Sundays of the Christmas Season.  

==Marian apologetics==

==Marian apologetics==

The anti-Catholic charge that devotion to Mary and the praying of the Rosary is [[evil]] and Satanic, and that during her life Mary the mother of Jesus was a dirty, rotten, vile and filthy sinner<ref>Catholic Mary is Nothing! By David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)</ref>, is consistently answered from scripture, reason, and logic by skilled Catholic apologists who claim they are fulfilling the counsel of Peter:  

The anti-Catholic charge that devotion to Mary and the praying of the Rosary is [[evil]] and Satanic, and that during her life Mary the mother of Jesus was a dirty, rotten, vile and filthy sinner,<ref>Catholic Mary is Nothing! By David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)</ref> is consistently answered from scripture, reason, and logic by skilled Catholic apologists who claim they are fulfilling the counsel of Peter:  

:"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and ''be'' ready always to ''give'' an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."<ref>1 Peter 3:15-16 King James Version.</ref> <br>

:"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and ''be'' ready always to ''give'' an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."<ref>1 Peter 3:15-16 King James Version.</ref> <br>

See for example the following sites:

See for example the following sites:

== Bibliolatry and Mariolatry ==

== Bibliolatry and Mariolatry ==

Just as Protestant Christians have been accused of ''Bibliolatry'', the worship of the [[Bible]], of superstitiously putting the Bible in place of Jesus the Lord and Savior and Son of God in their worship, instead of giving all honor and worship to God alone, and carrying it with them as a magical protection against sin and the Devil; so likewise Catholic Christians have been accused of ''Mariolatry'', the worship of Mary, of putting Mary in place of Jesus the Lord and Savior and Son of God in their worship, instead of giving all honor and worship to God alone, and carrying a Rosary with them as a magical protection. And just as Protestant Christians who revere the Bible as Holy ("The Holy Bible, Word of God"), and are grieved at the accusation by non-Christians and atheists that they have made it an [[Idolatry|idol]], a substitute for the only one who alone is Holy—'''''[[God]]'''''—so Catholic Christians who revere Mary as Holy ("Holy Mary, mother of God"), are grieved at the accusation by non-Christians and fundamentalists that they have made her an idol, a substitute for the only one who alone is Holy—'''''God'''''—the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ<ref>Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8-11; 15:4.</ref>. <br> See for example the following sites:

Just as Protestant Christians have been accused of ''Bibliolatry'', the worship of the [[Bible]], of superstitiously putting the Bible in place of Jesus the Lord and Savior and Son of God in their worship, instead of giving all honor and worship to God alone, and carrying it with them as a magical protection against sin and the Devil; so likewise Catholic Christians have been accused of ''Mariolatry'', the worship of Mary, of putting Mary in place of Jesus the Lord and Savior and Son of God in their worship, instead of giving all honor and worship to God alone, and carrying a Rosary with them as a magical protection. And just as Protestant Christians who revere the Bible as Holy ("The Holy Bible, Word of God"), and are grieved at the accusation by non-Christians and atheists that they have made it an [[Idolatry|idol]], a substitute for the only one who alone is Holy—'''''[[God]]'''''—so Catholic Christians who revere Mary as Holy ("Holy Mary, mother of God"), are grieved at the accusation by non-Christians and fundamentalists that they have made her an idol, a substitute for the only one who alone is Holy—'''''God'''''—the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.<ref>Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8-11; 15:4.</ref> <br> See for example the following sites:

*[https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/can-the-bible-become-an-idol/ Can the Bible Become an Idol? By Jack Wellman (whatchristianswanttoknow.com)]  

*[https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/can-the-bible-become-an-idol/ Can the Bible Become an Idol? By Jack Wellman (whatchristianswanttoknow.com)]  

*[http://introducedrat.com/evil.htm Fundamentalist Christianity: the Worship of an Evil God, By Derek Mathias (introducedrat.com)]

*[http://introducedrat.com/evil.htm Fundamentalist Christianity: the Worship of an Evil God, By Derek Mathias (introducedrat.com)]

Reverend Edward Looney, a Catholic [[priest]] and apologist explains the meaning of this title:<ref>[http://catholiclane.com/calling-mary-our-life-our-sweetness-and-our-hope Calling Mary Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope, by Fr. Edward Looney, in Featured, Live in Christ - Catholic Lane (catholiclane.com)]</ref>{{cquote|Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His Mother, who was chosen by the Eternal Father to be the mother of His Son, was granted certain privileges in her life which allowed her to become the mother of all the living. The privileges granted to Mary allow her to rightly be called our life, our sweetness and our hope. By means of Mary, the Life, ''par excellence'', was brought into the world, allowing all Christians the opportunity to participate in the Divine Life offered by God.  Mary is an instrument who leads Christians to the one who is the source of all Life—Jesus; Mary also leads Christians to the sweetness of unity with her Son, and finally, Christians are able to find their ultimate hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ; all is possible through the mediation of Mary. As the celestial moon, Mary reflects Christ, bringing all Christians to the source of all life, sweetness, and hope—He who is the Sun, Jesus Christ.}}

Reverend Edward Looney, a Catholic [[priest]] and apologist explains the meaning of this title:<ref>[http://catholiclane.com/calling-mary-our-life-our-sweetness-and-our-hope Calling Mary Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope, by Fr. Edward Looney, in Featured, Live in Christ - Catholic Lane (catholiclane.com)]</ref>{{cquote|Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His Mother, who was chosen by the Eternal Father to be the mother of His Son, was granted certain privileges in her life which allowed her to become the mother of all the living. The privileges granted to Mary allow her to rightly be called our life, our sweetness and our hope. By means of Mary, the Life, ''par excellence'', was brought into the world, allowing all Christians the opportunity to participate in the Divine Life offered by God.  Mary is an instrument who leads Christians to the one who is the source of all Life—Jesus; Mary also leads Christians to the sweetness of unity with her Son, and finally, Christians are able to find their ultimate hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ; all is possible through the mediation of Mary. As the celestial moon, Mary reflects Christ, bringing all Christians to the source of all life, sweetness, and hope—He who is the Sun, Jesus Christ.}}

'''[[Mediation]]''' is frequently confused with '''[[Intercession of the saints|intercession]]''', and the two terms are often erroneously regarded as [[synonym]]s as here, and more generally in standard [[thesaurus]]es<ref>See the following:<br>[https://www.powerthesaurus.org/mediation/synonyms '''mediation synonyms''' - Power Thesaurus (powerthesaurus.org)] <br> [https://www.powerthesaurus.org/intercession/synonyms '''intercession synonyms''' - Power Thesaurus (powerthesaurus.org)].</ref>. In the Bible St. Paul says{{cquote|I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, ''and'' giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and ''for'' all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this ''is'' good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. <br>(1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV <ref>See also Jeremiah 7:16; 36:25; Romans 8:26-27; 11:2</ref>)}}

'''[[Mediation]]''' is frequently confused with '''[[Intercession of the saints|intercession]]''', and the two terms are often erroneously regarded as [[synonym]]s as here, and more generally in standard [[thesaurus]]es.<ref>See the following:<br>[https://www.powerthesaurus.org/mediation/synonyms '''mediation synonyms''' - Power Thesaurus (powerthesaurus.org)] <br> [https://www.powerthesaurus.org/intercession/synonyms '''intercession synonyms''' - Power Thesaurus (powerthesaurus.org)].</ref> In the Bible St. Paul says{{cquote|I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, ''and'' giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and ''for'' all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this ''is'' good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. <br>(1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV <ref>See also Jeremiah 7:16; 36:25; Romans 8:26-27; 11:2</ref>)}}

St. Paul says in the same place{{cquote|For ''there is'' one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. <br>(1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV <ref>See also Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:34 Galatians 3:19-20; Hebrews 7:25; 8:6; 9:15; 12:24</ref>)}}Romans says{{cquote|the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what ''is'' the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to ''the will'' of God.... Who ''is'' he that condemneth? ''It is'' Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.<ref>Romans 8:26-27 and 34</ref>}}Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus are intercessors. Hebrews says{{cquote|Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. <ref>Hebrews 7:25</ref>}}There is no contradiction here with Paul's exhorting of others, Christians, mere human beings, to make intercession for all men. Clearly, their intercession does not imply rejection of Christ as intercessor and mediator between God and men. And that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, as he told the Sadducees, "He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him." Luke 20:38. All of this is taken by Catholic apologists as scriptural support of the doctrine that Mary is alive in heaven interceding for us as an intercessory mediator with and in Jesus Christ to God.

St. Paul says in the same place{{cquote|For ''there is'' one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. <br>(1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV <ref>See also Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:34 Galatians 3:19-20; Hebrews 7:25; 8:6; 9:15; 12:24</ref>)}}Romans says{{cquote|the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what ''is'' the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to ''the will'' of God.... Who ''is'' he that condemneth? ''It is'' Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.<ref>Romans 8:26-27 and 34</ref>}}Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus are intercessors. Hebrews says{{cquote|Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.<ref>Hebrews 7:25</ref>}}There is no contradiction here with Paul's exhorting of others, Christians, mere human beings, to make intercession for all men. Clearly, their intercession does not imply rejection of Christ as intercessor and mediator between God and men. And that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, as he told the Sadducees, "He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him." Luke 20:38. All of this is taken by Catholic apologists as scriptural support of the doctrine that Mary is alive in heaven interceding for us as an intercessory mediator with and in Jesus Christ to God.

[[Protestant]] [[Christian]]s, [[Evangelical Christianity|Evangelicals]], [[Fundamentalism|Fundamentalists]] and others object to the [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox]] doctrine of the '''[[intercession of the saints]]''' because they take intercession to be the same as mediation. Catholics doctrinally understand the mediatory ministry of Mary to be subordinate to Christ's mediation, her intercession for us on our behalf to Jesus her son and Lord.<ref>[http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/2005/04/mary-mediatrix-ii/ Mary, Mediatrix, Published on April 9, 2005 by Saint John Paul II in Papal Excerpts - Mother of All Peoples de Maria Numquam Satis Amoris (motherofallpeoples.com)] "''Mary’s maternal mediation does not obscure the unique and perfect mediation of Christ. ''"</ref>

[[Protestant]] [[Christian]]s, [[Evangelical Christianity|Evangelicals]], [[Fundamentalism|Fundamentalists]] and others object to the [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox]] doctrine of the '''[[intercession of the saints]]''' because they take intercession to be the same as mediation. Catholics doctrinally understand the mediatory ministry of Mary to be subordinate to Christ's mediation, her intercession for us on our behalf to Jesus her son and Lord.<ref>[http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/2005/04/mary-mediatrix-ii/ Mary, Mediatrix, Published on April 9, 2005 by Saint John Paul II in Papal Excerpts - Mother of All Peoples de Maria Numquam Satis Amoris (motherofallpeoples.com)] "''Mary’s maternal mediation does not obscure the unique and perfect mediation of Christ. ''"</ref>