I have
written a lot about Mariology, interacting largely with Catholic theology on
this point, as I stand by what I have said many times: what Rome dogmatically
teaches about the person and work of Mary is the single greatest disproof of
her claim to be Christ’s one true Church (e.g., see my book, Behold the Mother of My Lord: Towards a Mormon Mariology [2017]). As an example of why Catholic devotion to, and
theology about, Mary is not a “minor” issue can be seen from the following
comments from a Catholic theologian affirming that, we are not only united with
Christ at baptism and become the adopted sons/daughters of the Father, but we
are also united with Mary and become her adopted children, too!
Union with the Blessed Virgin
While making us children of God, Baptism also
makes us children of Mary. What was decided in principle by Christ on Calvary
when He said to His Mother: “Women, behold thy Son”, this Sacrament realises in
a particular way for those who receive it. By His Passion, the Saviour has
merited for us the right to the inheritance of His own Mother. Through the
Sacrament, He applies this grace to us; we enter into possession of this
treasure and become the beneficiaries of this wonderful favour. From the moment
of our incorporation with Him, and because of that incorporation, we are
adopted, not only by His father, but also by Mary, His Mother. She extends to us
the tenderness which she bears to Christ; she loves us with the maternal
solicitude which she had for Him. We are, as He was, the object of her vigilant
care. As she watched over Him, she watches over us—over our soul, over our
body, over our spiritual gifts, over our virtue, over our salvation. She
provides for our needs, just as she provides for His.
Until the Mystical Body of her Son has
reached the full perfection of its growth, her maternal role continues. Until
then—that is, until the end of time—she continues to form that Mystical Body,
to nourish it, to care for it, to defend it, to surround it with her loving
devotedness, ensuring that all those who have become its members profit from
their incorporation with the Mystical Body of her Son. (François Cuttaz, Divine Birth: The Precious Effect of Baptism
[trans. Malachy Gerard Carroll; Middle Green, U.K.: St Paul Publications,
1962], 35-36)
