To say, “I’m spiritual but not religious,” as many people do, is like saying “I’m physical, but inactive.” We all know what happens to our bodies if we don’t exercise. Well, the same sort of thing happens to the soul if we don’t exercise spiritually. Whether it’s quietly meditating, reading Scripture, singing, praying or receiving communion, religion involves doing things with our bodies that keeps the soul healthy.

“Religion” comes from Latin: re = again, and ligio, which means to connect, bind or tie; as in “ligament.” To be “religious” is about being “reconnected” to God. It also means being connected to other people, because our relationship with others has everything to do with our relationship to God: The Bible says, “He who does not love his brother who he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20)

What is Papal infallibility?
Infallibility does not mean that the Pope is perfect or never makes mistakes. What it does mean is that when he teaches on matters of faith and morals in his official capacity as chief shepherd of the Catholic Church those teachings are free from error by virtue of the Holy Spirit who  "will lead you into all truth" (John 16:13; see also John 14:15, 25; 15:26 and Luke 10:16). 

Infallibility means that the Church that Christ founded is, by a special Divine assistance, preserved from liability to error in her definitive teachings regarding matters of faith and morals.  Click on Infallibility for more information.

"The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful-who confirms his brethren in the faith-he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. . . . The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council." [Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 891]

Why is Mary so important to Catholics?
The simple answer is that Mary is important to Catholics because she is important to God! After all, God chose her to be the means by which he sent the Savior into the world. What Catholics believe about Mary is based on what they believe about Jesus Christ. She is called “the mother of Jesus” and acclaimed by Elizabeth, “mother of my Lord” [John 2:21; Luke 1:43]. Along with Thomas, the Church acclaims Jesus “Lord and God” (John 20:28) and so Mary has been called “Mother of God” since earliest times. Catholics honor Mary and hold her in the highest regard, but they worship God.

The relationship that Catholics have to Mary is best illustrated in John 2:5 when she says to the servants “Do whatever he tells you.” Mary points to Jesus. Her role relative to the Church is also illustrated at the end of John’s gospel when Jesus entrusts Mary to John, and John to Mary, indicating the care that Jesus’ disciples and Mary have for each other.

Just as Christ is the “new Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22) so Mary is the “second Eve” undoing what Eve had done. Eve listened to the voice of the serpent and disobeyed God, but Mary listened to the voice of the angel and obeyed God. Through her disobedience Eve brought about death; Mary, through her obedience, brought about life by giving birth to the Savior.

What is the Immaculate Conception?
The Bible calls Mary “full of grace” (Luke1:26). The Immaculate Conception means that Mary was preserved from original sin and redeemed by God’s grace from the moment of her conception. Unlike Jesus who was miraculously conceived without a human father, Mary was conceived in the normal way by her parents.

Original sin is like having fallen into a deep hole where only Christ can get us out. Mary was prevented from falling into the hole in the first place.

The official teaching of the Church says: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all original sin.”

What Christ does for everyone who calls upon his name and is baptized (Acts 2:38; 4:12; Romans 10:13) he did for his mother when she was conceived. “By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long.” [Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 493]

What is the Assumption?
“The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, when her earthly life was over, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things.”

The Assumption of Mary is the corollary of the Immaculate Conception. Since Mary was preserved from all sin by the merits of Christ, she was spared bodily decay and taken directly to heaven when she died. The Scriptural basis for the Assumption, which is sometimes referred to as the “exaltation” of Mary comes from Revelation 12:1-6.

Mary's Assumption takes nothing away from Christ. On the contrary, it demonstrates the power of his Resurrection. Since Mary was the mother of Christ and the first to believe in him, she was raised by him to the glorified life of heaven. It is, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection" (no. 966).

Mary is not only the first disciple and mother of Jesus; she is also a symbol of the Church and a model for all Christians. By reflecting on the graces God gave the Blessed Virgin, we understand more about his gifts to us. The Assumption of Mary is the realization of the hope that all believers share. Her acceptance into the glory of Heaven is a sign of the promise made by Jesus to all Christians that one day they too will be received into paradise. Visit New Advent's "Assumption" Encyclopedia excerpt for more information.