Veneration of Mary - Why?

I am a protestant. The following answer has helped me. Maybe it can help you to understand too...

Question: How do you suggest we Catholics explain our veneration of Mary to Protestants who ask us about her and her role in the Scriptures?
Answer: Sacred Scripture is clear on Mary's significance and her honored place in God's plan of Salvation. The Incarnation could not have occurred without Mary's obedient "Let it be with me according to your word"(Lk 1:38b). But as important as Mary is, she always points away from herself and to her Son, "Do whatever he tells you"(Jn 2:5b). This makes her precious to us, because she leads us to her Son. We also know that, as the Mother of our Lord, Mary has an honored place in God's kingdom. Like all saints whom the Church believes to be in heaven, she is a tremendous intercessor for us. As our Lord was dying on the cross, he gave his Mother to "the disciple who he loved," as our Mother (John 19:26). After all, if you need a favor from someone, who better to have pleading your case than your mother? This is another reason we have profound respect for Mary. As a Redemptorist, I could not close without mentioning one of Mary's most revered titles, Our Mother of Perpetual Help. We do not pray to Mary, we pray through our Mother Mary, and like any good and loving mother, she is always there to help us.

(From Dear Padre, 30 Dec 2007 Issue)

Some Information on Joseph

Some of us already know something about Mary, the mother of Jesus. But few of us know much about Joseph the father of Jesus. Here is a bit of information.

The Catholic Church has its root from the time of Christ. The first Pope is considered to be Peter. It was Jesus who appointed Peter "You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build My Church...Matt16:18". Hence it is Catholic Church that provides us with 'tradition information' that are not found elsewhere.

This article appearing in 'Dear Padre' on June 14,2009. It's an answer to the question "How did Joseph die?"

"The Church teaches that Mary did die, after which she was 'assumed' into heaven, meaning she was taken up not by her own power, but by the power of God. Assumption is not to be confused with Jesus' ascension into heaven, in which he was taken up by His own power.

We don't know how Joseph died, but we believe he died in the regular fashion and was not assumed into heaven. Tradition teaches that when Joseph died, both Mary and Jesus were at his bedside. For this reason, Joseph is called the patron of a happy death. The customs of the day dictated that, as Joseph's only child, Jesus would have made the arrangements for his father's funeral, possibly preparing the body for burial and washing, anointing, and wrapping Joseph's body, as others would later do for Jesus. We cannot know for sure what Joseph's death and burial were like, but we can assured that Jesus cared for his foster father with the utmost love.

Each of us can only hope that, as he was with Joseph, Jesus will be at our side when we breathe out last."

This is just a bit of information for those who are interested. It's not important though.

The Assumption of Mother Mary

Someone asked DEAR PADRE "What Does Mary's Assumption Means?" I read the answer by Dear Padre. But when I searched Wikipedia, it gave a more informative answer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assumption_of_Mary

The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and the Coptic Orthodox Churches believe in the Assumption of Mary. In short, it means that Mary was transported into Heaven with her body and soul united.

There are other interesting information related to this belief in Wikipedia. You can read about it.

There are volumes of answered prayers and petitions attributed to the intercessory prayers of Mother Mary. Just attend the Novena sessions at Novena Church, Thomson Road on Saturdays, or view the Novena Church website to be convinced.

It is up to you whether to believe in the Assumption of Mary. But I believe God answers the prayers and petitions of the faithful and the sincere-hearted , regardless of whether christians pray directly or through the intercession of Mother Mary or any of the Saints.

Isn't it comforting to know this?