Praying to Mary doesn't feel right

[petitfleur]

I wasn’t raised in any religion but attended a Catholic school and later worked side beside with nuns in a home for the developmentally disabled.
I like the rosary becuase of the meditations on Jesus, but have a hard time with prayers like the Angelus. I am currently doing a Christmas novena praying to Mary and it seems wrong to me. Meditating on her life and goodness is one thing but the praying to her is just uncomfortable to me. Anyone have a similar problem or insight?

 

[dje101]

I wasn’t raised in any religion but attended a Catholic school and later worked side beside with nuns in a home for the developmentally disabled.
I like the rosary becuase of the meditations on Jesus, but have a hard time with prayers like the Angelus. I am currently doing a Christmas novena praying to Mary and it seems wrong to me. Meditating on her life and goodness is one thing but the praying to her is just uncomfortable to me. Anyone have a similar problem or insight?

You have to acknowledge that the teaching on the subject by the church regarding communion of the saints is correct. That’s what a lot of people have told me. Other than that, my opinion is that if you don’t feel comfortable doing it, then don’t. The church doesn’t say you have to, only that there are benefits to the saints’ intercessions.

God bless

 

[AlexPetrosPio]

Remember, St Paul asked us to pray for him, and in the Book of Revelations, we can rest assured that the saints and angels in Heaven offer our prayers to God, as they are aware of them. Praying to Mary is nothing more than asking your friend down the street to pray for you. Also remember “to pray” is poetic for “to ask.”

 

[JRKH]

I wasn’t raised in any religion but attended a Catholic school and later worked side beside with nuns in a home for the developmentally disabled.
I like the rosary becuase of the meditations on Jesus, but have a hard time with prayers like the Angelus. I am currently doing a Christmas novena praying to Mary and it seems wrong to me. Meditating on her life and goodness is one thing but the praying to her is just uncomfortable to me. Anyone have a similar problem or insight?

I offer a very simple rule here. If it makes you uncomfortable, then don’t to it. Being uncomfortable in prayer is not good - it is bound to interfere with our spiritual growth. We need to pray in the manner that is most comfortable to us.
Our Mother will not be offended. She points us to Christ and Christ points us to the Father, so if you are more comfortable with prayers to Christ and the Father then go for it.

Now - if you are praying in public, or in a facility like you mention above, then you can simply join your Marion prayers to the others being offered in community. But for private devotionals, stick with what is most comfortable for you.

Peace
James

 

[kiqueen]

I just want to make a quick clarification. When people say the “pray to” the saints, it’s really more like “praying with” the saints. It’s not so much about praying to Mary, but praying to God with Mary, or asking Mary to pray for us. It comes with an acceptance of the fact that by her own power, Mary doesn’t accomplish anything, but rather she can only accomplish that which God gives her the power to do. Sort of like here on Earth. When a person tells their testimony and it changes someone’s heart, it’s not so much that the person changed the heart, but rather through that person, God granted the grace and power to change that heart.

That being said, there is no requirement for Marian devotion. If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t have to do it. But I would strongly encourage you to look at what it is that doesn’t feel right and then, perhaps, to see what the church is teaching about it, because your discomfort may simply stem from a misunderstanding of what you are doing when you say those prayers.

 

[JRKH]

I just want to make a quick clarification. When people say the “pray to” the saints, it’s really more like “praying with” the saints. It’s not so much about praying to Mary, but praying to God with Mary, or asking Mary to pray for us. It comes with an acceptance of the fact that by her own power, Mary doesn’t accomplish anything, but rather she can only accomplish that which God gives her the power to do. Sort of like here on Earth. When a person tells their testimony and it changes someone’s heart, it’s not so much that the person changed the heart, but rather through that person, God granted the grace and power to change that heart.

That being said, there is no requirement for Marian devotion. If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t have to do it. But I would strongly encourage you to look at what it is that doesn’t feel right and then, perhaps, to see what the church is teaching about it, because your discomfort may simply stem from a misunderstanding of what you are doing when you say those prayers.

I understand what you are saying here but I must confess to feeling uncomfortable with prayers such as this:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
There is little in this prayer that gives the impression of praying “with” or “through” Mary. It is pretty much directed directly TO Mary.
Not looking for a debate on the matter, just pointing out why certain prayers “to” Mary - or “to” a saint can feel uncomfortable.

Peace
James

 

[saribee]

I am converting to Catholicism and I am still uneasy about praying the rosary and such, even though I love the concept of the communion of saints.

Instead of praying the rosary, I might start praying the divine mercy chaplet, which uses rosary beads and is the same format but with different prayers. Perhaps you could substitute portions of the prayer you are doing that are portions of the rosary (like Hail Marys) for what the Diving Mercy chaplet uses?

 

[Cat_Herder]

Let’s say that there is a family that has two children. One of them is the spitting image of his father. But the younger child is adopted. When he was younger, he was the prodigal son, who had a rough and tumble childhood, only to have a (not so) chance encounter with the natural son of the father, who took him home to meet his mother and father. After briefly greeting the mother, he embraced the father and professed his love for him and for his son. The father’s son showed the young boy where the shower was, and then went to get a white robe and a candle for him. Meanwhile, the father started working on the adoption paperwork.

The adopted son quickly got a job and an apartment in the city, but comes back to the house every Sunday morning. When he does, he completely ignores his mother and goes to greet the son and tells him wonderful things about their father, who mostly looks on smiling. Then the father goes to get the mother, but the adopted son is too busy talking with the natural son to notice their mother. Even though she is being ignored, the mother provides all of the bread that the family eats, makes all of the decisions concerning the household, and is therefore responsible for reminding the father of all of the things that the adopted child needs.

The natural son understands that, for whatever reason, the younger adopted son never saw the natural son’s mother as also being his own mother even though he readily accepted their father. Thankfully, the natural son is very patient and forgiving and does not hold this against his younger brother. The father, however, never ceases to take every opportunity to try and get his adopted son to meet his new mother.

One thing the father does is to place pictures of her all throughout the town, in the hopes that his adopted child will notice her.
forums.catholic-questions.org/picture.php?pictureid=8197&albumid=1087&dl=1292297032&thumb=1

The father also mentions his mother to him in many of the letters he sends to his adopted child.

Despite this, the adopted son still ignores his mother.

I suppose that if this was just another ordinary family, we would say that the relationship between the adopted son and his mother is dysfunctional and that the adopted son should spend more time with his mother.

 

[Trishie]

There is a need to go to roots, the Bible.

In scripture we see the first example of Mary’s intercession
She was in the presence of God Incarnate, the Lord Jesus,
and He not only accepted it,
but he acceded to her request and grant the first recorded miracle of Jesus,
even though He had protested that it was not yet time for signs, miracles.

Therefore we have Jesus own approval of His Mother as intercessor for others in need.
It wasn’t even a matter of life or death,
just possible loss of face of the hosts,
of the wedding feast of Cana.

John 2 Jesus Changes Water Into Wine
" 1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."

Who can argue with Jesus who responded to His mother’s faith and intercession for others in need?!

 

[Cat_Herder]

I am converting to Catholicism and I am still uneasy about praying the rosary and such, even though I love the concept of the communion of saints.

What about the Rosary makes you uncomfortable?

 

[TimothyH]

I wasn’t raised in any religion but attended a Catholic school and later worked side beside with nuns in a home for the developmentally disabled.
I like the rosary becuase of the meditations on Jesus, but have a hard time with prayers like the Angelus. I am currently doing a Christmas novena praying to Mary and it seems wrong to me. Meditating on her life and goodness is one thing but the praying to her is just uncomfortable to me. Anyone have a similar problem or insight?

Pray to Jesus, and ask him to introduce you to his mother, to show you why his mother is so imporant to our salvation, and to teach you about his mother and why you need to know her.

Jesus will not let you down. Be patient.

-Tim-

 

[Trishie]

Woman of faith, pray for us

Dear Mother Mary, you have been honoured, blessed, and gifted by God. You are our mother because in figure of John, Jesus gave us to you as your children as He hung dying on the cross.

We ask you to speak to God on our behalf, for it was through your faith that Jesus first manifested His power at Cana, thus beginning His work before the appointed time.

Although it concerned neither life nor death, nor eternal salvation but the human feelings of others, He granted your trusting prayer.
Such was your faith, and God’s love for you, Saint of all saints! Therefore, we trust our prayer to Your faith in God!

Please give us your unfailing intercession before God. You see everything that we need in service of God, and all that we desire for each other. You feel the aching of our hearts and hear our longing prayers. You behold our faith, our repentance, and our love.

Stand not silently by, Mother! Our Father, your Son, and the Holy Spirit who overshadowed you and blessed you with our Saviour—They cannot refuse you!
We stand humbly before you, Mother, and entreat you with our hearts, minds, and spirits…Mother!

 

[freerf]

I understand what you are saying here but I must confess to feeling uncomfortable with prayers such as this:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
There is little in this prayer that gives the impression of praying “with” or “through” Mary. It is pretty much directed directly TO Mary.
Not looking for a debate on the matter, just pointing out why certain prayers “to” Mary - or “to” a saint can feel uncomfortable.

Peace
James

This is a common concern among many of us who have considered becoming catholic. Prayer to Mary can be at times almost indistinguishable from worship in many ways. I think eventually, you just have to come to terms with it. if you place your faith in the Catholic church, you’ll just have to trust what she teaches i guess.

 

[Cat_Herder]

This is a common concern among many of us who have considered becoming catholic. Prayer to Mary can be at times almost indistinguishable from worship in many ways.

Why?

Because the Catholic is asking Mary for something? So when you ask your mother to bring you something, you’re worshiping your mother? Come on.

If you were about to say, “Well, Mary isn’t my mother!,” then you need to read your Bible.
[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 12:1[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 12:5[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 12:7[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 12:17[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[freerf]

Why?

Because the Catholic is asking Mary for something? So when you ask your mother to bring you something, you’re worshiping your mother? Come on.

If you were about to say, “Well, Mary isn’t my mother!,” then you need to read your Bible.
[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 12:1[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 12:5[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 12:7[/BIBLEDRB]
[BIBLEDRB]Revelation 12:17[/BIBLEDRB]

Sigh. Here it comes. The swords are out.

 

[po18guy]

I wasn’t raised in any religion but attended a Catholic school and later worked side beside with nuns in a home for the developmentally disabled.
I like the rosary becuase of the meditations on Jesus, but have a hard time with prayers like the Angelus. I am currently doing a Christmas novena praying to Mary and it seems wrong to me. Meditating on her life and goodness is one thing but the praying to her is just uncomfortable to me. Anyone have a similar problem or insight?

Once you grasp the concept of the Communion of Saints, you will be far more comfortable with it. A popular book that will greatly help you to understand the Catholic faith is Catholicism for Dummies. It is easily read and understood. Highly recommended. I learn something each time I open it.

 

[Cat_Herder]

Sigh. Here it comes. The swords are out.

Asking a person to be consistent in their logic is an act of war? Good grief.

Prayer to Mary can be at times almost indistinguishable from worship in many ways.

Don’t accuse people of idolatry if you don’t want a firm response!

 

[Trishie]

When humankind first sinned against our Creator, God immediately condemned the tempter, saying, “I will make you enemies of each other: you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. It will crush your head.” [Genesis 3:15] Mary, whom Jesus made mother of all persons from the cross, [John 19:26-27] please, with the Angels, fight the ancient enemy in our lives, for sake of the redemption that your Son won for us.

"In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1: 26-38).

Think on that, really think on it. Who else in the Gospels is thus greeted by God in His Angel, with such great honor and respect, and chosen amongst billions of women throughout the ages for such a unique trust, a unique trust to be Mother of the Incarnate Son of God. God thereby tells us she is not a woman to treat light, to set aside as just another woman.

You were unselfish and kind. Although yourself pregnant, you hurried to assist your older cousin in her pregnancy as soon as Gabriel informed you of it. God rewarded your faith and love by allowing the Spirit to speak to through Elizabeth:
“Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured by a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment that your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” [Luke 1:39-45]

In you, the Spirit responded,
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because He has looked upon His lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is His name,
and His mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of His arm, He has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry He has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of His mercy
—according to the promises He made to our ancestors—
of His mercy to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” [Luke 1:46-79]

 

[Anthony_V]

Asking a person to be consistent in their logic is an act of war? Good grief.

Don’t accuse people of idolatry if you don’t want a firm response!

To tack on to what you said, there is a very large difference between Marian devotion and worship. That difference is Jesus Christ.
The liturgy of the Eucharist is the highest form of worship. In fact, it places the wedge between worship and prayer/praise. Worship is sacramental. Prayer and singing is, well, prayer. If you want to get technical, the only Church(es) that have worship inside the standard economy of salvation is Catholicism (and orthodoxy, respectively).
All that to say, there is a common misconception between prayer and worship from the protestant crowd because they do not distinguish prayer from worship. You throw out the paschal sacrifice of the mass and the sacraments, so the only thing you’ve got left is prayer/singing and scripture.

 

[charlie4christ]

Hey there,

Praying to Mary is extremely beneficial as countless graces are poured onto us through Mother Mary. Btw the devil hates Mary and he often makes people reluctant to pray to her (especially the rosary!!!) We must conquer evil and I believe if you overcome this spiritual weakness you will reap many (many) rewards and graces that are unquestionably essential in our lives as christians and soldiers against the evil one. Trust in Mary for eternal happiness brother. God bless.

Praise be to Jesus.