The honor given to Mary is rooted in her role as a model of the obedience of faith, which is the act of freely submitting to the word of God and trusting in its truth because God is Truth itself. Mary exemplifies this virtue through a faith that trusts in the promises of God even when they seem impossible.

Mary is also honored for her unique association with the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the sacrifice of Christ on the cross has infinite value as redemption and reparation for all humanity, Christ associates those who are the first beneficiaries of his grace with his redeeming sacrifice, a reality particularly exemplified in the intimate association of Mary with his redemptive suffering (CCC 618).

This honor is further expressed through the Catholic practice of venerating the saints as glorified members of Christ. By observing memorials of saints on fixed days, the faithful are united with the liturgy of heaven, which gives glory to Christ for the salvation of his glorified members (CCC 102 #2). Because the names of saints engage divine honor, fidelity, and authority, they must be respected in justice (CCC 2147), and any words of hatred or defiance directed toward them are considered a grave sin of blasphemy (CCC 2148).