How is praying to Mary and the saints justified by the Church?

[aschaff]

Could you please explain how praying to Mary and/or the saints is justified by the church, since I am not aware of any biblical references to any authority for intercession with God the father except through our Lord Jesus Christ (I was born and raised Roman Catholic)?

 

[Leonie_Ambrose]

aschaff,

The following links should assist you in better understanding the Catholic Church’s teaching on the “Communion of Saints”. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.

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• Is praying to the saints biblical?