Mary and the Saints

[eo_chibears]

Do Catholics pray to Mary and the Saints? If so, does that make Mary a Goddess and the Saints Gods? Wouldn’t that make Catholocism polytheistic? Thanks for the insight.

 

[FooFee]

In short, they are not gods. We pray for their intercession before the one Lord and God just as you would ask friends to pray for your intentions.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Do Catholics pray to Mary and the Saints? If so, does that make Mary a Goddess and the Saints Gods? Wouldn’t that make Catholocism polytheistic? Thanks for the insight.

No, we only adore one God.
We venerate Mary and the Saints.
What is the difference between adoration and veneration?
Adoration is only to God. You recognize that God is the Only One, The Origin of Earth and Heaven, The creator of Everything and Everyone, the Creator of Mary and the Saints.

Veneration is the acknowledgement that Mary and the Saints lived up to God’s wishes, were models of adoration to God. Saying in simple terms, they were “heroes”. Heroes of Christianity, Great Men and Great Woman, but never gods.

Clear? I could go on if you want…

 

[Trevor_Stamm]

Is this a philosophical question…?

The website has many written apologetic articles, the tab for them can be found on the homepage. This issue has many articles dedicated to it, use the search function.

 

[eo_chibears]

No, we only adore one God.
We venerate Mary and the Saints.
What is the difference between adoration and veneration?
Adoration is only to God. You recognize that God is the Only One, The Origin of Earth and Heaven, The creator of Everything and Everyone, the Creator of Mary and the Saints.

Veneration is the acknowledgement that Mary and the Saints lived up to God’s wishes, were models of adoration to God. Saying in simple terms, they were “heroes”. Heroes of Christianity, Great Men and Great Woman, but never gods.

Clear? I could go on if you want…

Clear, not at all. Lots of people pray to Mary and the Saints. Why they do that is beyond me.

 

[eo_chibears]

Is this a philosophical question…?

The website has many written apologetic articles, the tab for them can be found on the homepage. This issue has many articles dedicated to it, use the search function.

Yes it actually is a philosophical question. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut though.

 

[Trevor_Stamm]

Yes it actually is a philosophical question.

How so?

 

[Qoeleth]

Clear, not at all. Lots of people pray to Mary and the Saints. Why they do that is beyond me.

Augustine makes the point that we ‘pray’ to many people. It is only comparitively recently that some people have attempted to reserve the word ‘pray’ for God. Surely you have heards such expressions (now sounding old-fashioned) as,
“Pray, take a seat”
“Please help! I pray of you!”
In Italian, the expression ‘Prego’ (I pray) is still a common courtesy.

Why should we not pray (i.e. bessech, express ourselves) to the Virgin Mary, the Saints, etc.?

I suppose the reason is much the same as the reason for praying to God- to give themselves some form of self-expression, self-awareness, consolation, to orientate themselves in relation to an ideal, etc. In short, praying is an exercise which promotes inner peace, wisdom, endurance, hope and courage.

So what is wrong with that?

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Clear, not at all. Lots of people pray to Mary and the Saints. Why they do that is beyond me.

Before replying, would you mind to read my post?
You did not understand it at all, so your answer is completely out of target.
Yes, Lots of people pray to Mary and the Saints.
Why they do that is beyond you, though I explained it o you very very carefully.
Do you have any question about MY POST ?

 

[empther]

Luke 16:24

And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames

The rich man is in purgatory and prays to Abraham who answers him.

Jesus is showing that praying to the Saints is ok.