>>21488160>they saw the Virgin Mary as just equally importantCatholics definitely don't consider her equal. That is a straw man. But she is indeed important. There is Latria, Dulia, and Hyperdulia. While many Protestants however well intended, only know about the word "worship" and attribute it to what Catholics do with Mary because they often lack proper catechesis. They think Mary is a regular human being, and she is really not. This comes from the original Bible itself.
Angel Gabriel calls her κεχαριτωμένη in Luke 1:28, "Kecharitōmenē". This Greek word has no exact translation in Latin, nor English. It is a conjugation, extension of three words.
χαριτοω (charitoo) "Grace", μένη (mene) (passive participle) and κε (ke) (prefix of χαριτοω which means it is in perfect tense).
The Angel is not telling her she is receiving grace (much less "favor" as some translations say) in that particular moment, but that she is (passive participle) made graceful, fully, in past present and future (perfect tense). It's a quality of her being. She is blessed among all women. In vulgar latin translations it was usually translated as 'gratia plena'/full of grace.
This word Kecharitōmenē had never been used in Greek literature before this moment and wouldn't be used again until the V century. The author of Luke coined the term and meant it literally.
Remember that “Grace” is undeserved divine help, gifted for free by God to someone so that person can better respond to His calls. Having such an absolute divine help, in past present and future, implies no sin whatsoever, otherwise it would not have been truly gratia plena.
Mary is venerated, not worshipped. She is very important and can help us stay closer to Jesus, without ever intending to replace him, which is the false testimony stone that some Protestants usually throw at Catholics when they see all tbe appreciation for Mary.
