When do I pray to our Lord and when to Mary and the saints?

[MomTo3]

I am a cradle Catholic who sort of feels short-changed as far as education about my faith from my parents–there is only so much one hour of Sunday school can do. But I’m really trying to learn how to be a good, devout Catholic and I understand you should ask Mary and the Saints to pray for you–I guess I’m just confused about when to do that. Right now I’m only really comfortable praying directly to God/Jesus (sometimes I feel inadequate doing that–do you get better with practice?) but I don’t know how to go about asking help from Mary and/or the Saints. It just seems I would want to go “straight to the top” with my prayers, so I don’t know if it is a matter of personal choice or what most Catholics do concerning this.

Thank you for any help you can provide me,
Shari

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi Shari,

Begin where you feel comfortable. Certainly, when seeking Mary’s help, she will pray with you and lead you to her Son. Going directly to Jesus, the perfect Mediator since He is God and Man is the ultimate.

First and formost, I personally pray to Him through His Eucharistic Presence in the tabernacle and daily thank Him for Good Friday. I ask the prayers of Mary and St. Dominic when moved to do so. Let the Spirit guide you. Let the memory of His suffering and death on the cross inbue your whole day and you will be fine.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.