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Mary & the SaintsEssentials

Is it required that Catholics be devoted to Mary?

Mary & the Saints

The short answer

No. Devotion is an emotional attachment and cannot be required. What is required is assent to the Marian doctrines the Church has declared binding. Still, devotion can be developed, and it is a pious thing to cultivate it toward one's spiritual Mother.

What is required

Only assent to the doctrines the Church has declared true and binding. A Catholic who gives the assent of the will to the Marian doctrines is not required to feel any particular attachment to Mary.

Growing in devotion

Devotion can be developed like attachment to any person, and it is a pious act for a Catholic to cultivate devotion to his spiritual Mother. One way is to learn about her through Marian apologetic and devotional reading.