Do Roman Catholics pray to Mother Mary?

Question

Does this mean that the current Pope Benedict the XVI does this too?

Answer 1

I personally know a good number of catholics who do. And while it causes no harm to pray to Mary, the Gospels are emphatic in stating that Jesus is the only one we should pray to.

Jesus declared on chapter 6 of the book of John: "I am the truth, the way and the life, no one comes to the Father execpt through me."

Now who knows if the Pope pray to Mary and who really cares?

It's just sad that even in these small things people will prefer to erroneously follow their religion than to simply read for themselves and abide by the truth taught by Christ.

Answer 2

Yes. There's a prayer called the "Hail Mary," and almost all Catholics know it:

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Answer 3

There were some good answers here, but no one *really* explained.

1st, ignoring special religious definitions of common words, many Catholics do pray to Mary.

Catholics are *permitted* to pray to Mary *only* for her intercession. What that means is that they pray to Mary who, presumably, has God's ear, and she then asks God to take action. An excellent example is the so-called "Hail Mary", which asks only one thing of Mary: "pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death". In other words, in prayer to Mary she is asked to pray to God for the sake of the person that is praying to her.

Note that many Catholics do pray *to* Mary herself, and *not* for intercession, but this is against the teachings of the RCC. Unfortunately, they do not feel the need to firmly remind people of this, and so such things continue.

Jim, former RC, still a Christian

Answer 4

We ask Mary and all the members of the Body of Christ to pray for and with us in Christ the One Mediator and Pope Ben does this too.

Answer 5

I pray for Her every night. I used to be catholic, but not anymore. However, I can't deny Her power, Her benevolence. She is like a mother of us all. Yes, I pray for Her and I believe She intercedes for us. It is impossible not to feel calm and relax after sincerely praying for her. I also pray to Saint George, the brave knight, for protection and strength.

Peace!

Answer 6

Yes, but Catholics do not worship Mary. Catholics believe that they communicate with Mary and the saints and that sometimes the saints will interceed with God on behalf of the believer.

Answer 7

They don't actually pray to Mother Mary, they pray tough Mother Mary. They pray though her to get Jesus attention.

Answer 8

Actually the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, " As Catholics we do not pray to Mary or to the Saints, we ask them to intercede for us , and pray with us, for praying to anyone but God would be a sin. "


- Peace in Christ -

Answer 9

No they don't. This ignorant rumor has been circulated, and was in fact started by fundamentalist christians. Even I, a Jew, know they don't pray to Mary, for pete's sake.

They ask Mary to help their prayers reach the ear of God.

They ask Mary to help in asking God along WITH them for whatever they are praying for. In other words, they simply ask Mary to join them in prayer TO God.

Just like you'd ask the person sitting next to you in church to join with you in your prayer to God. Same thing. Does this mean you are praying TO the person next to you in church? No. See the difference? You're both praying together TO God.

It is God and God alone, to whom they actually pray, and God alone who answer their prayers.

Answer 10

We pray to Mary for guidance and help, but she is not treated like a goddess