Do you have pictures of family or friends in your house? Most people do. Most people love those in the photographs and are happy to see the pictures and think of the person it portrays. Is the photo the person? No. It is a likeness of the person. Is it idolatry to have a picture of that person? No. Similarly, we often admire our father or mother or some other relative for how they lived their lives. Is that idolatry? No.
What is Idolatry? According to merriam webster, it is the worship of a physical object as a god. Many people have the misconception that the Catholic Church, with all her statues and whatnot, is full of idolatry.
Catholics do not worship statues, nor do we worship Mary. Worship is for God alone. Catholics often choose saints with whom we can identify or whom we admire. Statues, scapulars, prayer cards remind us of those we love, just like the photo of our relatives and friends. They remind us to pray. They remind us of others who have struggled through life, or acted with great courage and love of Christ and attained sainthood. They point always to Christ. It is through Christ alone they received the graces to act courageously or love greatly. It is their trust in Christ that inspires us.
Catholics worship God alone.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for those who hate the Catholic Church. Pray for us sinners and those who have recourse to thee.
Amen
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