Icons and Praying to Jesus/Mary

[MarcoPolo]

In Adoration chapels or anywhere there are images, often I use the icons or the Monstrance in there to help me focus on praying to God or Mary. Have any of you ever prayed to Mary while looking at the Cross or the Monstrance? I found it interesting because that is where Mary focuses us. Or I’ve even done the reverse, prayed straight to Jesus while looking at an image of Our Lady…which glory to God because it reminded me of His power when He endowed her full of grace.

 

[Byzcat]

I think you’re spot on.

After all, our Blessed Mother was right there at the foot of the cross. If you’re looking at Christ/the Cross and praying to Mama, you’re basically standing there with her at Calvary, and if you’re praying directly to Christ/God while looking at an image of Mama, you are standing beside her in prayer.

So, no problem.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I often pray to Mary when I am in the adoration chapel. After all, when we pray to Mary, we are really praying to Jesus through her. Examples:

• “Mary, lead me to the heart of your Son.”
• “Mary, your Son Jesus is just as truly present here in the monstrance as He was to you when you held Him in your arms. Pray that I may love Him (have faith in Him, etc.) as you did.”
• Pray the Rosary, where we contemplate the face of Jesus through the eyes of Mary.
• And praying to Jesus through Mary, Saint Louis de Montfort’s short prayer of consecration: “I am all Thine, and all that I have is Thine, most loving Jesus, through Mary, Thy most holy mother.”