REASONS FOR CATHOLICS TO PRAY TO MARY

Blessed Virgin Mary with her Child Jesus
Blessed Virgin Mary with her Child Jesus

By Edward Matulanya 

Here are the Reasons for Catholics, Devotion, honor, Pray to Mary and the role of Mary in Catholic Prayer.

1. Understanding Catholic Devotion to Mary

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that devotion to Mary is grounded in her unique role in salvation history. Catholics venerate Mary (give honor) but do not worship her worship (latria) is given to God alone. Mary is honored because she is the Mother of Jesus Christ, true God and true man (Council of Ephesus, 431 A.D.).

Catholics believe that Mary, full of grace (Luke 1:28), freely cooperated with God’s plan and is therefore the model Christian. For example, When Catholics pray the “Hail Mary,” they repeat biblical phrases such as “Hail, full of grace” (Luke 1:28) and “Blessed are you among women” (Luke 1:42). This prayer is not worship but a request; “Pray for us sinners,” similar to asking a saintly friend to pray for them.

2. Reason for Catholics to Honor and Pray to Mary

The Catholic Church honors Mary for her holiness, obedience, and unique union with Christ. Because she is closer to Christ than any other human being, her intercession is considered powerful.

Mary’s prayers are seen as effective because she is fully united with God’s will and motherly toward the Church. For example, The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1–11) is significant. Mary notices the shortage of wine and tells Jesus, “They have no wine.” Her intercession leads to His first miracle. Catholics view this as biblical evidence of her maternal advocacy.

3. The Role of Mary in Catholic Prayer

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that; Mary is the Spiritual Mother of all Christians, based on Jesus’ words from the cross, “Behold your mother” (John 19:27). Because she is mother to all believers, Catholics often seek her prayers and guidance. For example, During the Holy Rosary, Catholics meditate on Christ’s life; His birth, ministry, passion, death, and resurrection. Mary does not replace Christ; she accompanies believers, helping them contemplate Jesus’ life more deeply.

4.  Reason for Mary to Hold a Special Place in Prayer in Catholic Beliefs

Mary is honored because God uniquely prepared her to be the mother of Jesus. 

Immaculate Conception; Mary was preserved from original sin (Pius IX, 1854).

Perpetual Sinlessness; Mary remained free of personal sin.

Unique Cooperation; She freely said “yes” to God (Luke 1:38).

Perfect Discipleship; She followed Jesus flawlessly. For example, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates God’s grace working in Mary from her conception, preparing her perfectly to bear Christ. Catholics honor her not for her own power, but for what God did through her.

5. Mary’s Intercessory Role in Catholicism

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Mary continues her maternal mission through her intercession (CCC 969–975). She does not replace Jesus as the sole mediator (1 Timothy 2:5); instead, Catholics believe she participates in Christ’s work by praying for believers.

Her intercession is Maternal, Compassionate, Powerful through Christ. For example, A Catholic praying, “Mary, please pray for my family,” is asking Mary to bring their needs to Christ similar to asking a friend to offer prayers but trusting Mary’s closeness to Christ.

6. Miracles of prayers to Blessed Virgin Mary 

In Roman Catholic belief, miracles associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary are understood as God’s actions, granted after people ask Mary to intercede that is, to pray to God on their behalf. Mary is not viewed as the source of miraculous power, but rather as a compassionate intercessor whose prayers Catholics believe are especially effective due to her closeness to Christ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997).

7. Types of Miracles Linked to Marian Prayer

Physical Healings

One of the most documented examples comes from Lourdes, France, where Mary is believed to have appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. A spring associated with the apparition site has been linked to unexpected medical recoveries. As of today, the Catholic Church has formally recognized 70 healings as miraculous after scientific review (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, n.d.). For example, Sister Bernadette Moriau reported a sudden recovery from chronic disabling nerve pain in 2008 after praying at Lourdes. A medical committee and the Church later judged the event miraculous (Diocese of Beauvais, 2018).

Miraculous Signs

In Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, tens of thousands of witnesses reported seeing the “Miracle of the Sun,” where the sun appeared to shift colors and move unusually. The Church accepted this as a supernatural sign confirming the apparitions (Zimdars-Swartz, 1991).

Apparition Related Miracles

At Guadalupe, Mexico, in 1531, Mary is believed to have appeared to Juan Diego. Catholics consider the enduring image on his tilma (cloak) a miraculous sign, noting its preservation beyond what would be expected for the material used (Bouvier, 2016).

Conversions and Spiritual Transformations

Catholics also believe Mary’s intercession can produce interior miracles, such as sudden conversions or major positive life changes. For example, Alphonse Ratisbonne, a non-Christian banker, reported a sudden conversion experience in 1842 after reluctantly wearing the Miraculous Medal connected to Marian devotion (Laurentin, 1990).

References

Bouvier, B. (2016). Our Lady of Guadalupe: History and faith. Catholic Truth Society.

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Council of Ephesus. (431). Council documents and decrees. In N. Tanner (Ed.), Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils (Vol. 1). Georgetown University Press.

Delaney, J. (2004). Dictionary of saints. Image Books.

Diocese of Beauvais. (2018). Official recognition of the healing of Sr. Bernadette Moriau.

Holy Bible, New American Bible Revised Edition. (2010). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Laurentin, R. (1990). The life of Catherine Labouré. St. Paul Publications.

Pius IX. (1854). Ineffabilis Deus [Apostolic constitution defining the Immaculate Conception]. Vatican Press.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. (n.d.). Medical Bureau and recognized miracles. Lourdes Office of Medical Observations.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2000). The Rosary: A Prayer for Peace. USCCB Publishing.

Zimdars-Swartz, S. (1991). Encountering Mary: From La Salette to Medjugorje. Princeton University Press.


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