Catholics, why do I need Mary's mercy?

Question

I am referring to the part of the Salve Regina where it says,

Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us;

Now those of you who have followed my other questions and answers know that I am a friend to Catholics, and that I have defended the *concept* of prayer to Mary on numerous occasions. By way of example, I am comfortable with the Hail Mary.

I have been able to provisionally accept the concept of prayer to the saints on the basis that Catholics understand it to be no different from asking a friend for prayer. But in the Salve Regina we seem to have a different kind of prayer. It would never in my wildest dreams occur to me to ask my pastor to show me mercy. Even in confession it is Jesus' mercy that I seek, not my pastor's. So what exactly is meant by asking Mary to turn her eyes of mercy toward us?

R, you asked, '"tur b": Can you back that statement up with Holy Spirit Inspired writings?'

I believe I can help with that. Check out John 2:3-5

May I have my question back now, please? =)

Oops, sorry, tur b, that was totally supposed to be tongue in cheek. lol

Steve K, I thought about your answer, and I don't buy it. The very fact of Jesus' incarnation was an act of mercy, and Mary as the Mother of God points us to that mercy and kindness. Mary wants us to see Jesus in those terms; and she is, I think, saddened by the idea that some would come to her because they are afraid to go to her Son directly.

Answer 1

It would never occur to me to ask Mary for mercy regarding my sinful human nature. She's not in a position be merciful in that sense; she cannot forgive my sins. I would not ask Mary to "be merciful" towards a friend facing difficult challenges. She's not in a position to provide that kind of mercy, either. When we ask Mary to "turn [her] eyes of mercy toward us," we are acknowledging Mary's compassionate nature and appealing to that nature in our requests for intercession. We are not asking Mary to *be* merciful; we are rather asking her to add her voice to our petitions to God because she *is* merciful. We believe that she looks on us with a mother's love and takes pity on us in our human sufferings. She will therefore be an outspoken advocate for us with God.

Take as an example the story of the wedding feast at Cana (see John, Ch 2). Mary took pity on the bride and groom who ran out of wine and implored Jesus to do something about it, because she knew that he *could* do something about it. Jesus was clearly reluctant to work a miracle ("My hour is not yet come"), but because *Mary* asked, Jesus turned water into wine and rescued the reputation of the wedding couple. That's the mercy we appeal to - her mother's heart that has compassion for those in need. From this story, we also know that Jesus listens to His mother, so she's definitely someone we would like to have speaking in support of our prayers.

Answer 2

Are you familiar with litanies -- in particular, those that enumerate titles and/or attributes of Mary such as the Litany of Loreto (link below)?

Mercy is a virtue that none of us have except through grace, and if Mary is "full of grace" then she is fully merciful. The line you quote from Salve Regina addresses her mercy on that basis, just as it does her clemency, love, and sweetness.

Prayers of this sort are not suggesting that her mercy equals the Divine Mercy (or for that matter divine clemency), which is infinite.

Do you need Mary's mercy? No. But you can certainly call upon it if you wish.

Answer 3

You do not "need" Mary's mercy.

You also did not type the entire line of this Christ centered prayer:

Turn then most gracious Advocate thine eyes of mercy towards us and after this our exile, show onto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

This line simply means that when Mary turns her eyes of mercy toward us, she will pray for us to her son, Jesus Christ, God the Son.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

Try a totally different angle. This is primarily psychological or emotional and doesn't reflect logic or doctrine. The fear of God's severe judgment, the fear of Jesus as a mighty figure sitting at God's right hand, has led people to flee (figuratively) to Mary as one who is all mercy and has nothing of judgment within her. It's just like a child running to his mother when he fears his father might whip him. I don't think it's any more complicated than that.

Answer 5

It's God's mercy through the intercession of Mary.

You can receive God's mercy through living persons as well.


Besides the Salve Regina is poetry. Have you ever heard of merciful eyes and looks of compassion?

Answer 6

"carl" : I thought Jesus was the only Intercessor (Mediator)

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2:5 )

"tur b": Can you back that statement up with Holy Spirit Inspired writings?

"Now we have received. Not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, Not in words which mans wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth" (1 Corinthians 2: 12-13)

Answer 7

scenario.... i just wrecked the car (sinned) and have to tell dad (God/Jesus) i want mom (Mary) to be there with me for support.

a Mother will always be there to hold your hand and comfort you. have you ever see michelangelo's Pieta?! look closely at her hands - they seem to almost be larger then scale - showing the strength of a Mother.

Answer 8

in my personal opinion as a Catholic, since Mary was given to us by Jesus as our spiritual Mother, we are asking her for her mercy as a Mother to her children and bring us closer to her Son Jesus Christ. that's how I understand it as a Catholic. but I think Carl explained it well.

to R: Jesus is the mediator between God and man, but Mary can be the mediator between Jesus and man. *rolls eyes*


oops, yes, Anonymous Lutheran, you can have your question back. I hope I answered your question. :)

I starred your question so that my Catholic contacts could see this question and have them answer it. I think they can answer well than me.

Answer 9

I don't see anything wrong with portraying Mary as merciful. It's not a required prayer. It's just one of many. There's absolutely no doctrine which says Mary's mercy is a condition for salvation.

"need" is the key misconception here.

Thumbs down please, thanks. ;)

Answer 10

Jesus always called Mary "woman."

Mat 12:46 ¶ While he yet talked to the people, behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.


Mat 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.


Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?


Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!


Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.