Catholics, do you not believe?

Question

that the Jesus who was so compelled by his love for you to lay his life on the cross, would also love you enough to hear your prayers and answer you? Do you believe that Mary has more compassion for your needs? Who could love you more then he who gave his life for you.

The if you all believe Jesus is sufficient than why include prayer through Mary.

I want you all to know I appreciate your input, this question was not meant to offend anyone it was asked because I really have never understood the practice. True enough, even after some of your well thought out answers, it will not change my thoughts on this subject but your answers have helped me better understand my catholic brothers and sisters. By the way this is also my way of making peace with my past. I was raised a catholic, but never encountered God in that time. Once having my encounter I began to read the bible, only to find that many catholic practices did not have a biblical basis. Such as infant baptism, or praying to Mary. I am not now looking to argue only to find understanding, really.

Answer 1

This is a common misconception of Catholicism. The assumption is that Catholics pray TO Mary INSTEAD of to Jesus.

The teaching of the Church is:
(1) Jesus is our direct access to the Father. He hears our prayers and loves us more than we can possibly imagine.
(2) The prayers of the righteous avail much, and the prayers of the saints (those who believe) will be answered.
(3) Because those who believe are part of the Body of Christ, all who are in Christ can pray for all others who are in Christ (and for those who are not in Christ).
(4) Because we are only separated from our physical bodies at death, but more united to the Body of Christ upon our physical death, when we ask those who are asleep in Christ to pray for us, they do pray for us.

In short, the Church sees Mary and the saints as "intercessors" in the same way that a living Christian is an "intercessor" when they pray for us.

Note that some Catholics go a little overboard with devotion to Mary and the Saints. It is good to imitate those who imitate Christ (since Paul said to imitate him, as he imitates Christ), and the Saints who are canonized are sort of "famous imitators" if you will, whose lives are held up as example. But Mary and the Saints are equals to us, humans who have died in Christ and so live in Christ, therefore while it is good to look to their lives as examples, they are not to be worshipped.

Worship is for Christ alone. That is the major misunderstanding for non-Catholics - they see scattered examples of Catholics kissing statues or kneeling before them and think that all of us do this. Most of us don't.

In fact, the Second Vatican Council determined that some forms of veneration were excessive and reminded Catholics that Christ alone is to be worshipped; again, looking to the saints' lives as examples of faith is good, and it is fine to ask them to pray for us and pray with us, but to go beyond that is to take the rightful focus away from Christ.

Furthermore, the Mass, which is the center of Catholic worship life, generally only makes mention of Mary and the Saints when we praise the Lord and offer our prayers along with the prayers which they who are in Heaven offer Him.

So you see, when Christ is the only one worshipped, and the saints are seen as friends in prayer, there is no conflict.

Answer 2

I get the feeling that no matter what any Catholic states here, you're going to disregard it because you already have your mind made up. I will never understand people who call themselves "Christian" then turn around and knock someone else's beliefs. This world would be a much better place to live if people didn't stick their noses into the business of others. Being raised Catholic, I was NEVER taught that the beliefs of other denominations was wrong nor was I taught to question the beliefs of others. I don't care if you pray to Jesus, Buddha or a guinea pig. Live and let live... and more importantly, MYOB!

Answer 3

Of course Jesus listens to us. He hears our prayers and answers us, and it is to Him that the vast majority of our prayers are directed. However, we also believe that if He listens to us, He will *certainly* listen to His Mother. Just as you might ask a friend to say a prayer for you in a time of need, we ask Mary and other Saints to do the same. There is ample evidence in Scripture that tells us that the angels and saints in Heaven *do* present their prayers to God (Revelations), and that they listen to pleas made by people on Earth (Job). Jesus even told His Apostles that they would have places of particular importance in Heaven, watching over the tribes of Israel (Matthew). He also specified that the word of the Apostles would be as binding in Heaven as it was on Earth. This being the case, whyever wouldn't we want to ask the holy men and women who have gone before us to join their prayers to ours?

There is an important distinction here, one that I think few Protestants understand about the Catholic Faith. We DO NOT pray to Mary and the Saints *instead* of God. We DO NOT accord them the adoration that is due only to God. We DO NOT pray to them because we believe that they are somehow more capable of or more likely to answer our prayers. We only honor them and ask them to pray for us, in the same manner that we would ask our friends and family members to pray for us.

Answer 4

Wow...

Of course we believe that Jesus loves us so much that He died on the Cross *and* hears our prayers and answers us!

No, we do not believe that Mary has *more* compassion for our needs, but because she loves and follows Christ, she has great compassion for us because we're all part of the Body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians).

Nobody could love us more than He who gave His life for us. But in close second is the woman who willingly risked her life to help bring Him into the world so that He could love us so much. Her role is secondary but vital. Jesus could not have been born Man without her.

Answer 5

You misunderstand about asking saints to pray for you.

Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.

The Communion of Saints is the belief 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, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.

As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends living here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother living in heaven to pray for you.

Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.

Asking others to pray for you whether your loved ones on Earth or your loved ones in heaven is always optional.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 946 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p5.htm#946

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

Praying to Mary is no different than praying to any other saint. The saints are our family in heaven just like our family and friends here on earth. We ask the saints for prayers no different than anyone here. It's as simple as that.

Answer 7

Millie,

Respectfully...

OF COURSE WE DO! What ever gave you the idea that we didnt'? Catholics were teaching the very facts you state about Jesus before protestants ever were! You should really become more informed.

THIS is what we believe as decreed by the council of nicea in 325 AD (yes, a catholic council).

"We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen."

Answer 8

"do you not believe that the Jesus who was so compelled by his love for you to lay his life on the cross, would also love you enough to hear your prayers and answer you?"

Yes. I do pray to Him, as do all Catholics

"Do you believe that Mary has more compassion for your needs?"

More than Jesus? No. All catholics know that Jesus is infinitly more compassioate than Mary. Afterall, He is God.

"Who could love you more then he who gave his life for you.?"

No one. All Catholic know that Jesus loves us more than any person, including Mary.

Go to a Catholic Mass and you will see that at our services we truly worship God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Any other questions?

Answer 9

You have misrepresented Catholic teachings about Mary. Catholics don't believe she is divine like Jesus or as powerful as Jesus, or that she has more compassion than Jesus.

What we do believe is:

1. Mary was a special and very holy woman chosen to be the Mother of Jesus
2. Mary was given to us at the foot of the Cross when Jesus said "behold your mother."
3. Mary is the woman foretold by Scripture who "crushes the head of the serpent" and who is the queen of Heaven "behold a woman clothed like the sun with a crown of stars on her head. " (Revelations
4. Mary is alive in Heaven as are all the saints, and she can hear us and help us with her prayers just as our Christian friends on Earth do.

Hope this helps you better understand our Catholic beliefs and see that they are in harmony with the Bible and pleasing to God.

Answer 10

Why do protestants ask their Christian brothers and sisters to pray for them? Isn't it enough to ask Jesus directly?