Understanding the Catholic Practice of Praying to Mary and the Saints
The Catholic practice of praying to Mary and the saints often raises questions among Protestant Christians, who view it as detracting from Christ’s unique role as the sole mediator between God and humanity. However, this practice as deeply rooted in Scripture and tradition, enhancing their relationship with Christ rather than diminishing it. This essay explores the theological basis for this practice, addressing common objections and providing biblical and historical support.
Praying to Mary and the Saints is Intercession, Not Worship
One of the most common misconceptions is that Catholics worship Mary and the saints.
The Church teaches that worship (latria) is due to God alone. What Catholics offer to Mary and the saints is veneration (dulia) and, in Mary’s case, a special honor called hyperdulia, recognizing her unique role in salvation history. This veneration is fundamentally different from the adoration reserved for God alone.
Catholics ask for the intercession of Mary and the saints in the same way that Christians ask their friends or pastors to pray for them. The Bible underscores the power of intercessory prayer: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Since the saints are perfected in righteousness and dwell in the presence of God, their prayers are particularly efficacious.
Scripture also provides examples of heavenly intercession. Revelation 5:8 and 8:3–4 depict the saints in heaven offering the prayers of the faithful on earth to God. This demonstrates that the saints are actively involved in the life of the Church and can intercede on behalf of believers.
Christ’s Unique Mediatorship is Inclusive, Not Exclusive
Catholics fully affirm 1 Timothy 2:5: “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” However, this does not exclude others from participating in Christ’s mediating work. Scripture shows that Christ allows and even commands His followers to intercede for one another:
1 Timothy 2:1: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.”
Romans 15:30: Paul asks believers to join him in prayer: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”
The Church sees this shared mediating role as an extension of the unity of the Body of Christ. All members, whether in heaven or on earth, are connected in Christ and participate in His redemptive mission. Revelation 8:3–4 illustrates this beautifully, with the prayers of the faithful being presented to God by angels in the heavenly liturgy.
Mary’s Unique Role in Salvation History
Mary’s role is uniquely significant in God’s plan of salvation. Chosen to bear the Son of God, Mary’s fiat (“Let it be to me according to your word” in Luke 1:38) exemplifies perfect obedience and trust in God.
Biblical Foundations
Luke 1:28: The angel Gabriel greets Mary as “full of grace,” a recognition of her singular holiness.
Luke 1:48: Mary declares, “From now on all generations will call me blessed,” affirming the honor that Christians rightly give her.
Mary as the New Eve
Catholic theology identifies Mary as the New Eve. In Genesis 3:15, God foretells enmity between the serpent and the “woman.” Just as Eve’s disobedience brought sin into the world, Mary’s obedience brought salvation through Christ. This parallel highlights her pivotal role in salvation history.
Mary’s Intercessory Role
Mary’s intercession is evident at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1–11). When the hosts run out of wine, Mary brings the problem to Jesus, and He performs His first miracle at her request. Mary’s words to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5), encapsulate her role: leading others to Christ.
The Communion of Saints
The doctrine of the communion of saints reflects the unity of the Church as one Body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–26). This unity is not broken by death, for God is “not the God of the dead but of the living” (Luke 20:38).
Heavenly Advocacy
Hebrews 12:1: “We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses,” referring to the saints who encourage and intercede for believers.
Revelation 6:9–10: The martyrs in heaven cry out to God, showing that they are aware of earthly events and are actively interceding.
By asking for the prayers of the saints, Catholics affirm this unbroken bond and recognize the power of their intercession.
Honoring Mary and the Saints is Christocentric
Far from detracting from Christ, honoring Mary and the saints magnifies His glory. Mary’s holiness is entirely a gift from God, and her role as intercessor always points to Christ. At Cana, her intercession led to Jesus revealing His divine power. Similarly, asking for her prayers draws believers closer to her Son.
Mary is also a model of perfect discipleship. Her fiat and unwavering faith inspire Christians to follow her example of obedience and trust in God’s will.
Addressing Common Objections
“The Bible Condemns Contact with the Dead (Deuteronomy 18:10–12):
Catholics do not engage in necromancy or divination. Asking for the prayers of Mary and the saints is fundamentally different. It is a request for intercession from those alive in Christ (Luke 20:38) and consistent with the biblical concept of the communion of saints.
“Praying to Saints Diminishes Christ’s Role as Mediator”:
Just as asking a friend to pray does not detract from Christ’s mediatorship, seeking the intercession of saints affirms the unity of the Body of Christ and the power of prayer. Saints participate in Christ’s mediating work by His grace, not independently of Him.
Early Church Witness
The practice of asking for the intercession of saints dates back to the earliest days of Christianity:
Catacomb Inscriptions: Early Christians inscribed prayers asking for the intercession of martyrs.
The Sub Tuum Praesidium: This 3rd-century prayer to Mary asks for her protection, demonstrating the continuity of this practice.
Church Fathers: St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and other early theologians affirmed the intercession of saints, emphasizing the unity of the Church across heaven and earth.
A Christ-Centered Practice
Praying to Mary and the saints is a profoundly Christ-centered practice. It recognizes the power of Christ’s grace working through His Church, honors the unity of the Body of Christ, and draws believers closer to Jesus through the example and intercession of those who have gone before them. Far from diminishing Christ’s role as sole mediator, it magnifies His glory by celebrating the fullness of His redemptive work.
