A Case of Marian Devotion, Church Hurt, and the Protestant‑Catholic Divide
Inspired by Matthew 7:26
Case Summary
Marissa B. is 57 and works as an administrative assistant in a busy hospital office where she tracks everyone’s schedules. She loves animals so much that she keeps a special list of pets to pray for each day—always asking Mary, Jesus’ mother, to pass the message along.
Years ago Marissa tried several Protestant churches but felt disappointed and hurt by how things went, so she went back to the Catholic church where Marian prayers feel comforting. Since then, the Bible she once read and wrote notes in mostly stays closed because she now thinks of it as “a Protestant thing.”
Marissa is energetic and friendly—she even rearranges restaurant tables so everyone can talk better—but she can also be a bit bossy without realizing it. She dreams of opening a small fitness studio where people can exercise alongside therapy dogs, but she is afraid to start because she worries it might fail.
Recently Marissa asked her Christian friend to pray for an elderly dog at work—but only if the prayers go through Mary. Her friend wants to help Marissa trust Jesus directly again, heal from past church hurts, and find the courage to chase her dream.
Facts of the Case
Marissa
- Grew up Catholic and “accepted Christ” 15 years ago but left several Protestant churches after feeling ignored or hurt.
- Returned to Catholicism, where Marian devotion feels personal and emotionally safe.
- Rarely reads Scripture now; views it as “a Protestant thing.”
- Prays rosaries daily and keeps a handwritten “pet-prayer list.”
- Single and often lonely; tends to re-plan social events or critique peers as a form of control.
- Loves animals and hopes to include therapy dogs in her future fitness studio.
- Works a demanding hospital admin job; fear of failure has stalled her entrepreneurial dream.
You (Friend)
- Value her compassion but worry her Marian focus sidelines Jesus and Scripture.
- Want to help her reconnect with God’s Word and address relational control patterns gently.
Gym / Social Circle
- Appreciate her energy, fitness insights, and love for people.
- Feel frustrated when she dominates group plans or offers unsolicited corrections.
IRAC Analysis
Issue (What’s the root cause of the problem?)
Rule (List Bible references that helps resolve the case)
Application (How do we apply each rule to the case?)
Conclusion (What’s the verdict?)
Course of Action (List steps towards healing and reconciliation)
Faith Tradition Audit
- Praying to Mary and the Saints
Catholic View: Saints in heaven can intercede for us, just like friends on earth do. Mary is honored as the mother of Jesus and a powerful intercessor.
→ Revelation 5:8, Luke 1:28, 42, John 2:3–5
Protestant View: Only Jesus is our Mediator. The Bible warns against attempting to communicate with the dead.
→ 1 Timothy 2:5, Deuteronomy 18:11 - Mass as a Repeated Sacrifice
Catholic View: The Eucharist is a real participation in Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice, made present again without repeating it.
→ Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:26, Malachi 1:11
Protestant View: Jesus’ death was finished and complete. Communion is a remembrance, not a re-sacrifice.
→ Hebrews 10:14, John 19:30 - Confessing Sins to a Priest
Catholic View: Jesus gave the apostles authority to forgive sins. Confessing to a priest brings spiritual healing and accountability.
→ John 20:21–23, James 5:16
Protestant View: We can confess our sins directly to God, who forgives us through Jesus. All believers are part of a royal priesthood.
→ 1 John 1:9, 1 Peter 2:9 - Pope’s Authority
Catholic View: Jesus gave Peter leadership of the Church. The Pope is seen as Peter’s successor, guiding the Church under Christ.
→ Matthew 16:18–19, Luke 22:32
Protestant View: No human is infallible. Peter was corrected by Paul, and Scripture is the final authority.
→ Galatians 2:11, Acts 17:11 - Using Statues and Images
Catholic View: Statues are reminders and teaching tools, not idols. God commanded symbolic images like the cherubim.
→ Exodus 25:18–20, Numbers 21:8–9
Protestant View: The Bible commands us not to make or bow to images. Worship should be in spirit and truth.
→ Exodus 20:4–5, John 4:24 - Purgatory and Indulgences
Catholic View: Purgatory is a place of purification before heaven. Prayers and acts of faith can help souls move forward.
→ 2 Maccabees 12:45–46, 1 Corinthians 3:15
Protestant View: After death comes judgment. Believers are with the Lord immediately because of Christ’s finished work.
→ Hebrews 9:27, 2 Corinthians 5:8 - Calling Priests “Father”
Catholic View: “Father” is used as a respectful spiritual title, just like Paul described himself.
→ 1 Corinthians 4:15, Philippians 2:22
Protestant View: Jesus taught not to use “father” as a spiritual title, since God alone holds that role.
→ Matthew 23:9 - Seven Sacraments
Catholic View: Jesus gave the Church seven sacraments as ways to give grace (e.g. Baptism, Eucharist, Confession).
→ John 3:5, James 5:14–15, John 20:23
Protestant View: Only two practices—baptism and communion—are seen as symbolic ordinances, not grace-giving rituals.
→ Ephesians 2:8–9, 1 Peter 3:21 - Earning Grace with Good Works
Catholic View: We’re saved by grace, but our cooperation (good works) is part of living faith.
→ Philippians 2:12–13, James 2:24
Protestant View: We’re justified by faith alone. Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause.
→ Romans 4:5, Isaiah 64:6 - Caring for Animals
Catholic View: Animals are part of God’s creation. Kindness to them reflects a righteous heart.
→ Genesis 1:26, Proverbs 12:10
Protestant View: Fully affirmed. God cares for even the smallest creatures.
→ Proverbs 12:10, Matthew 10:29
🪞 Challenge: Faith, Fear & Follow-Through
Take a quiet moment with God and consider:
- What fears are holding me back from trusting God with my next step?
- Have I buried any church hurt that still affects how I relate to Him?
- When I feel alone, where do I turn—and what would it look like to turn to Jesus first?
- If Jesus asked me to take a small risk this week, what would I say?
- Do I make room in my heart for believers who express their faith differently than I do?
Let the Holy Spirit highlight just one of these today. Write it down. Pray honestly. Respond in faith.