Confusion Over Role Of Patroness Of United States Can Be Traced To Protestant Reformation

Patroness Of United States

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the patroness of the United States. Although she is a human being and not divine, she

Basilica of Immaculate Conception

possesses healing graces which she shares with the inhabitants of Earth in her capacity as Mediatrix.

The Catholic Church recognizes her role as mediatrix or mediator in two ways. First, she conceived and gave birth to Our Savior. Second, she ascended into heaven from where she continues to participate in man’s salvation process.

St. Peter's Square

During the 16th Century, Martin Luther and other reformers protested many doctrines, rituals and the ecclesiastical structure of the Catholic Church. They also objected to the selling of indulgences which helped finance the building of St. Peter’s Basilica.  

Ratification of the Treaty of Munster, 1648

The newly founded protestant religions stressed biblical interpretation rather than Rome’s liturgical approch to religion. They also, for the most part,  failed to recognize Mary and the Catholic saints. Rome’s counter-reformation led to a long period of holy wars in Europe, which ended with the Peace of Westphalia.

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