2014-03-31 13:48:05綠茶

The Hail Mary of a Protestant

The Hail Mary of a Protestant

In honor of Mary's Feast of Annunciation, I dedicate this post most especially to our Protestant and Born Again Christian brothers and sisters who view the Blessed Virgin as an obstacle in their relationship with our Lord and Savior. It is my prayer that you will all begin to appreciate Mary's unique role in salvation history even as we differ in our dogmatic beliefs and doctrines. Please read also this article Mary in Islam and Protestantism for a more in-depth view of this subject.


The Hail Mary of a Protestant
(A true story)

A little six-year-old Protestant boy had often heard his Catholic companions reciting the prayer "Hail Mary." He liked it so much that he copied it, memorized it and would recite it every day. "Look, Mommy, what a beautiful prayer," he said to his mother one day.

"Never again say it," answered the mother. "It is a superstitious prayer of Catholics who adore idols and think Mary a goddess. After all, she is a woman like any other. Come on, take this Bible and read it. It contains everything that we are bound to do and have to do." From that day on the little boy discontinued his daily "Hail Mary" and gave himself more time to reading the Bible instead.

One day, while reading the Gospel, he came across the passage about the Annunciation of the Angel to Our Lady. Full of joy, the little boy ran to his mother and said: "Mommy, I have found the 'Hail Mary' in the Bible which says: 'Hail full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women.' Why do you call it a superstitious prayer?"

On another occasion he found that beautiful Salutation of St. Elizabeth to the Virgin Mary and the wonderful canticle MAGNIFICAT in which Mary foretold that "the generations would call her blessed."

He said no more about it to his mother but started to recite the "Hail Mary" every day as before. He felt pleasure in addressing those charming words to the Mother of Jesus, our Savior.

When he was fourteen, he one day heard a discussion on Our Lady among the members of his family. Every one said that Mary was a common woman like any other woman. The boy, after listening to their erroneous reasoning could not bear it any longer, and full of indignation, he interrupted them, saying:

"Mary is not like any other children of Adam, stained with sin. No! The Angel called her FULL OF GRACE AND BLESSED AMONGST WOMEN. Mary is the Mother of Jesus Christ and consequently Mother of God. There is no higher dignity to which a creature can be raised. The Gospel says that the generations will proclaim her blessed and you are trying to despise her and look down on her. Your spirit is not the spirit of the Gospel or of the Bible which you proclaim to be the foundation of the Christian religion."

So deep was the impression which the boy's talk had made that his mother many times cried out sorrowfully: "Oh my God! I fear that this son of mine will one day join the Catholic religion, the religion of Popes!" And indeed, not very long afterwards, having made a serious study of both Protestantism and Catholicism, the boy found the latter to be the only true religion and embraced it and became one of its most ardent apostles.

Some time after his conversion, he met his married sister who rebuked him and said indignantly: "You little know how much I love my children. Should any one of them desire to become a Catholic, I would sooner pierce his heart with a dagger than allow him to embrace the religion of the Popes!"

Her anger and temper were as furious as those of St. Paul before his conversion. However, she would change her ways, just as St. Paul did on his way to Damascus. It so happened that one of her sons fell dangerously ill and the doctors gave up hope of recovery. Her brother then approached her and spoke to her affectionately, saying:

"My dear sister, you naturally wish to have your child cured. Very well, then, do what I ask you to do. Follow me, let us pray one 'Hail Mary' and promise God that, if your son recovers his health, you would seriously study the Catholic doctrine, and should you come to the conclusion that Catholicism is the only true religion, you would embrace it no matter what the sacrifices may be."

His sister was somewhat reluctant at the beginning, but as she wished for her son's recovery, she accepted her brother's proposal and recited the "Hail Mary" together with him. The next day her son was completely cured. The mother fulfilled her promise and she studied the Catholic doctrine. After long preparation she received Baptism together with her whole family, thanking her brother for being an apostle to her.

The story was related during a sermon given by the Rev. Fr. Tuckwell. "Brethren," he went on and said, "the boy who became a Catholic and converted his sister to Catholicism dedicated his whole life to the service of God. He is the priest who is speaking to you now! What I am I owe to Our Lady. You, too, my dear brethren, be entirely dedicated also to Our Lady and never let a day pass without saying the beautiful prayer, 'Hail Mary', and your Rosary. Ask her to enlighten the minds of Protestants who are separated from the true Church of Christ founded on the Rock (Peter) and 'against whom the gates of hell shall never prevail.'"




“Is Christ only to be adored? Or is the holy Mother of God rather not to be honoured? This is the woman who crushed the Serpent’s head. Hear us. For your Son denies you nothing”.
- Martin Luther, Father of the Protestant Reformation

♡♡♡
有一個六歲的基督教男孩,時常聽見他天主教的夥伴念誦『聖母經』,他非常喜歡這個禱詞,於是也模仿他的朋友,甚至把它記在腦海中,並且每天反覆誦念。
「媽咪,你聽,這禱詞多美啊!」有一天,男孩這樣告訴他的母親。
「不許再念了,那是天主教迷信的禱告!」母親回答說,「天主教崇拜偶像,把馬利亞當作神!然而,馬利亞指不過是一般的婦女。過來,這本聖經給你,你好好的閱讀。聖經告訴我們的一切,都是我們能做,而且必須做的。」
從那天起,小男孩就不再繼續念「萬福瑪利亞」了,他用了很多的時間閱讀聖經。有一天,當他閱讀《福音》時,他看見一段天使向馬利亞報喜的經文,男孩充滿了喜悅,他跑去告訴他的母親,說:「媽咪,我在聖經裡找到了『聖母經』的禱詞」聖經上說,「萬福瑪利亞,妳充滿聖寵,主與你同在。妳在女人中是蒙祝福的(註1);為什你說那是迷信的禱告呢?」
------(註1)《聖經和合版》<路加福音1:28,42>----
蒙大恩的女子,我問你安,主和你同在了!
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou amongst women.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
小男孩又在聖經的一些地方找到了證明,那是以利沙伯向馬利亞問安時所說的話。(註2:路加福音41-45)和瑪利亞在『尊主頌』中的預言:「從今以後,萬代要稱我有福」(路加福音1:48)
之後,男孩不再跟媽媽談論這件事,他又開始像以前一樣誦念『聖母經』,而且他用這些令人陶醉的經文禱告,向我們救主耶穌的母親說話時,感到愉快滿足。
當男孩十四歲時,有天他聽見他的家人在討論瑪利亞。每個人都說,瑪利亞只是個女人,如同其他女人一樣。
男孩聽見他們錯誤的推理,再也無法忍受,義憤填胸,打斷他們的言論說:「馬利亞不像亞當的其他孩子受罪所玷汙。而且!天使說她『充滿了恩寵,且在女人中是蒙祝福的!』瑪利亞既是耶穌基督的母親,更是天主的母親。再也無任何受造物能比她還尊貴。」
男孩繼續說:「《福音》記載說:『萬代都將稱她有福』,而你們卻嘗試著輕蔑她、忽視她!你們的態度,不是你們所宣揚的《福音》和《聖經》的精神,所建立的基督徒信仰。」
男孩如此深刻的演說,好幾次令他的母親悲傷地呼喊:「喔,我的天啊!我真害怕我的孩子,將來有一天加入天主教,教皇的宗教啊!」
果然,過了不久,他開始認真的研究『基督新教』和『天主教』的道理,男孩發現了真理並且改宗天主教,後來還成為一個非常熱心的使徒。
在他改宗之後的某段時間,他遇見他已經結婚的姊姊,憤慨難當地責難他:「你知道的,我很愛我的小孩。如果他們當中有誰想要成為天主教徒,我遲早會用利劍刺穿他的心,免得他改宗信仰了教皇的宗教!」
她姊姊的怒氣和情緒猛烈的如同保羅相信耶穌之前。然而,她姊姊改變了她的意願。這是發生在她的兒子生了很嚴重的病,連醫生也放棄治癒的希望。
當她的弟弟趕到,並深情的對姊姊說:「我親愛的姊姊,你當然希望你的孩子被治癒。那好,現在照我吩咐妳的去做。跟著我,讓我們一起祈禱,念一遍『聖母經』,然後祈求上帝,如果的你的孩子恢復健康,你要好好地研究天主教的教義,這樣你會知道天主教是唯一真正的宗教。你將會接納它,不管任何犧牲。」他姊姊一開始有點不情願,但她仍希望她的兒子康復。她接受他弟弟的提議,和他誦念了一遍『聖母經』。
隔天,她的兒子完全康復了。這位母親履行了她的承諾,她研讀了天主教的教義。在經過很長的準備之後,她和她的家人都一起受洗了,並感謝她的弟弟為她成了使徒。
這個故事,是在講道時一個神父說的:「弟兄們,這個男孩,現在成了天主教徒,並且使他的姊姊改變了信仰,來到天主教會。他把他的一生也完全奉獻給了天主。他現在是一個神父,而這個神父現在正在向你們說話。」
「我感謝聖母,使我成為今日的我。你們也是,我親愛的弟兄們,也要完全的奉獻給聖母,並且千萬別讓一天白白的過去,而沒有誦念這美麗的禱詞--『聖母經』,和你們的玫瑰經。求她啟迪新教徒的心,就是那些與我們建立在磐石(彼得)之上真正的基督教會分離的弟兄姊妹。這樣,那地獄之門為他們將永不得勝。」
聖母經
萬福瑪利亞,妳充滿聖寵,主與妳同在。
妳在婦女中受讚頌,妳的親子耶穌同受讚頌。
天主聖母瑪利亞,求妳現在和我們臨終時,
為我們罪人祈求天主。阿們。
天主降福你們!
https://www.facebook.com/汐止聖方濟天主堂-1407549749531716/timeline/
♡♡♡

有一個六歲的基督教男孩,時常聽見他天主教的夥伴念誦『聖母經』,他非常喜歡這個禱詞,於是也模仿他的朋友,甚至把它記在腦海中,並且每天反覆誦念。

「媽咪,你聽,這禱詞多美啊!」有一天,男孩這樣告訴他的母親。

「不許再念了,那是天主教迷信的禱告!」母親回答說,「天主教崇拜偶像,把馬利亞當作神!然而,馬利亞指不過是一般的婦女。過來,這本聖經給你,你好好的閱讀。聖經告訴我們的一切,都是我們能做,而且必須做的。」

從那天起,小男孩就不再繼續念「萬福瑪利亞」了,他用了很多的時間閱讀聖經。有一天,當他閱讀《福音》時,他看見一段天使向馬利亞報喜的經文,男孩充滿了喜悅,他跑去告訴他的母親,說:「媽咪,我在聖經裡找到了『聖母經』的禱詞」聖經上說,「萬福瑪利亞,妳充滿聖寵,主與你同在。妳在女人中是蒙祝福的(註1);為什你說那是迷信的禱告呢?」

------(註1)《聖經和合版》<路加福音1:28,42>----

蒙大恩的女子,我問你安,主和你同在了!Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee,blessed art thou amongst women.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

小男孩又在聖經的一些地方找到了證明,那是以利沙伯向馬利亞問安時所說的話。(註2:路加福音41-45)和瑪利亞在『尊主頌』中的預言:「從今以後,萬代要稱我有福」(路加福音1:48)

之後,男孩不再跟媽媽談論這件事,他又開始像以前一樣誦念『聖母經』,而且他用這些令人陶醉的經文禱告,向我們救主耶穌的母親說話時,感到愉快滿足。

當男孩十四歲時,有天他聽見他的家人在討論瑪利亞。每個人都說,瑪利亞只是個女人,如同其他女人一樣。

男孩聽見他們錯誤的推理,再也無法忍受,義憤填胸,打斷他們的言論說:「馬利亞不像亞當的其他孩子受罪所玷汙。而且!天使說她『充滿了恩寵,且在女人中是蒙祝福的!』瑪利亞既是耶穌基督的母親,更是天主的母親。再也無任何受造物能比她還尊貴。」

男孩繼續說:「《福音》記載說:『萬代都將稱她有福』,而你們卻嘗試著輕蔑她、忽視她!你們的態度,不是你們所宣揚的《福音》和《聖經》的精神,所建立的基督徒信仰。」男孩如此深刻的演說,好幾次令他的母親悲傷地呼喊:「喔,我的天啊!我真害怕我的孩子,將來有一天加入天主教,教皇的宗教啊!」

果然,過了不久,他開始認真的研究『基督新教』和『天主教』的道理,男孩發現了真理並且改宗天主教,後來還成為一個非常熱心的使徒。

在他改宗之後的某段時間,他遇見他已經結婚的姊姊,憤慨難當地責難他:「你知道的,我很愛我的小孩。如果他們當中有誰想要成為天主教徒,我遲早會用利劍刺穿他的心,免得他改宗信仰了教皇的宗教!」她姊姊的怒氣和情緒猛烈的如同保羅相信耶穌之前。然而,她姊姊改變了她的意願。這是發生在她的兒子生了很嚴重的病,連醫生也放棄治癒的希望。

當她的弟弟趕到,並深情的對姊姊說:「我親愛的姊姊,你當然希望你的孩子被治癒。那好,現在照我吩咐妳的去做。跟著我,讓我們一起祈禱,念一遍『聖母經』,然後祈求上帝,如果的你的孩子恢復健康,你要好好地研究天主教的教義,這樣你會知道天主教是唯一真正的宗教。你將會接納它,不管任何犧牲。」他姊姊一開始有點不情願,但她仍希望她的兒子康復。她接受他弟弟的提議,和他誦念了一遍『聖母經』。隔天,她的兒子完全康復了。這位母親履行了她的承諾,她研讀了天主教的教義。在經過很長的準備之後,她和她的家人都一起受洗了,並感謝她的弟弟為她成了使徒。這個故事,是在講道時一個神父說的:「弟兄們,這個男孩,現在成了天主教徒,並且使他的姊姊改變了信仰,來到天主教會。他把他的一生也完全奉獻給了天主。他現在是一個神父,而這個神父現在正在向你們說話。」

「我感謝聖母,使我成為今日的我。你們也是,我親愛的弟兄們,也要完全的奉獻給聖母,並且千萬別讓一天白白的過去,而沒有誦念這美麗的禱詞--『聖母經』,和你們的玫瑰經。求她啟迪新教徒的心,就是那些與我們建立在磐石(彼得)之上真正的基督教會分離的弟兄姊妹。這樣,那地獄之門為他們將永不得勝。」


聖母經

萬福瑪利亞,妳充滿聖寵,主與妳同在。妳在婦女中受讚頌,妳的親子耶穌同受讚頌。天主聖母瑪利亞,求妳現在和我們臨終時,為我們罪人祈求天主。阿們。天主降福你們!

https://www.facebook.com/汐止聖方濟天主堂-1407549749531716/timeline/