Catholics are encouraged to have a relationship with Mary. Though not in the same way as Jesus Christ, rather in the way that Mary is our spiritual mother.

 

“And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.” (John 19:25-27)

 

Jesus here is basically giving Mary to us as a mother. Just before Jesus dies, he sees His mother (Mary) and His disciple he loved. Jesus says to His mother, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the Disciple, “Here is your mother”. The disciple here is representing all disciples of Christ. God chose Mary to be the mother of her son, so in turn Jesus is choosing Mary to be the mother of His people, all Christians. 

 

An interesting thing to highlight that can refer Mary to being a mother to all believers is in Revelation 12 “Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.” (Revelation 12:17). We notice in this verse how John refers to those who are followers of Christ as the woman’s children.Martin Luther in 1529, said: “Mary is the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of us even though it was Christ alone who reposed on her knees… if he is ours, we ought to be in his situation; there where he is, we ought also to be and all that he has ought to be ours, and his mother is also our mother.” Martin Luther, Sermon, Christmas, 1529

 

The fourth commandment reads '“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12). This commandment of course refers to our biological mothers and fathers but also refers to our spiritual mothers and fathers. Mary is the mother of all Christians. We have to treat her like a well-brought up child who treats their mother, with respect and honour.