REASONS FOR CATHOLICS TO PRAY TO MARY
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 e xample, 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 Pr...