I thought Jesus did for our sins.
2006-07-11 03:21:05 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No.
2006-07-11 03:25:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No we don't. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but we *like* praying to Mary and the Saints (not in worship!) because of tradition. We give them high respect, and so we ask them to pass on a message to the Lord on our behalf.
Centuries ago, the Catholic church did not want the congregation to participate at *all* in masses. If a person wasn't ordained and in the clergy, they had to sit, kneel, and stand as commanded, and remain completely silent. Basically, they were taught that they were unworthy in the eyes of the Lord.
So instead of praying directly to Jesus (as they believed they were too unworthy for something so bold), they would pray to people whom they felt most similar too -- not divine, just regular human beings that a normal lay person could look up to and strive to become.
So tradition carries on, and to this day, while we honor the Saints and Mary for their actions here on earth, we do not worship them, or make it a requirement to pray to them.
2006-07-11 10:24:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Catholics do not have to pray to Mary and the Saints.
Catholics and many other Christians believe in the Communion of Saints where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.
Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints. You, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa.
As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends here on earth to pray for you. Or you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother in heaven to pray for you.
Or, of course, you can pray to Jesus all by yourself.
With love and prayers in Christ.
2006-07-12 01:12:44 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the traditional answer, from a non-Catholic: technically, they do not pray *to* the saints, but they ask the saints to pray for them. Easy to show: James 5:16 says that we should pray for one another, and that the prayer of the righteous person is very powerful. Mark 12:27 says that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living: i.e., that those who have died are alive to God. So since, for example, martyrs are certainly righteous, why shouldn't we ask their prayers, just as we ask the prayers of living believers?
2006-07-11 10:27:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, me living in a Catholic area, they don't HAVE to, but its one of their beleafs that Mary and the saints are just as good as Jesus.
2006-07-11 10:26:37 · answer #5 · answered by ValleyFlower 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not at all. It is pure legalism and strictly a device of Catholicism. God is very clear that we are to pray to Him and Him alone. How people can believe about praying to saints and Mary is beyond me. I can't imagine not being in touch with God all the time. He's the only One who hears and answers prayers. God bless you.
2006-07-11 10:34:01 · answer #6 · answered by irisheyes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We do prey to them, but we do not worship them. We pray to them for their intercessory prayer. We have a bond with them, it's called the communion of saints.
2006-07-11 10:25:42 · answer #7 · answered by Swordsman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was raised catholic (but don't claim it anymore) & it seems like the church highly recommends it & prefers it but I don't think you really HAVE to.
2006-07-11 10:27:17 · answer #8 · answered by §uper ®ose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. Silly question since it is narrowly framed, however.
Best Wishes!
2006-07-12 14:03:22 · answer #9 · answered by Specious λ Neurotica 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't have to, but is's certainly recommended. Can't hurt to have help from On Up.
2006-07-11 10:25:45 · answer #10 · answered by robert43041 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋