Why do Catholics Pray to Mary and the Saints?

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sandmountainsli said:
Praying to saints SEEMS like necromancy to me and from my point of view.
Would it be the same to pray to my grandmother or is that forbidden? I am a big supporter of Thomas Jefferson, may he be prayed to?
Not being snotty, just honestly asking a question.
WP
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Necromancy is very different. Here is a random bunch of definitions - they all refer to summoning up the physical presence of the dead and/or doing so to predict the future or work magic.

Look at the specific example in the OT of Saul and the Witch of Endor - he actually summoned up the physical ghost of Samuel in order to ask him specific questions, and more importantly to demand specific information and predictions about the future from Samuel. In other words to have an actual real-time detailed two-way conversation with him. Very unlike any experience I’ve ever had of prayer to a saint or Mary 🙂

Thomas Jefferson? Well, one presumes he was able to pray while physically alive, and that others were able to request his prayers as well. If he’s in heaven now he’s certainly no less capable. I find the idea illogical that anyone in heaven would be incapable of doing what they could do perfectly well on Earth.

As for your grandfather - well, anyone in heaven can be prayed to and can pray in their turn for us. Capital S Saints are those who we can be sure are in heaven because verified miracles have been performed thanks to their intercession.

God, I’m sure, won’t think less of you if you love or admire your grandfather, Thomas Jefferson or any other person, think they are in heaven and pray to them in this honest belief, even if it turns out to be a mistaken one.
 
TheStew said:
Right now I’m a non-denominational Christian. I’m really getting tired of not having one thing to “stick” too, and out of all the denominations Catholicism seems to be the way to go. The only problem is the praying to Mary and the Saints, every time I think about it this is what makes me stop. I love Jesus and God with all my heart, but the idea of praying to someone besides them seems “wrong”. Can anyone help?

Or am I confused, and do you only ask Mary and the Saints to pray for you, you don’t “pray” to them?
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hola TheStew,

prayer is communication, like a telephone, except it is communication specifically with the heavens. when we pray to Saints it is not to ask them for things that only God can give, it is to ask them to pray for us to God and speak to him on our behalf, this is called intercession.

it is theoretically no different than asking your best friend to pray for you when something bad happens… you are not asking your friend “please pray that i have the patience to get through the day” you are asking your friend to pray to God on your behalf for such a thing…

the difference is that Saints are closer to God then us… this is why they are Saints, their goodness and the fact they are assuredly in heaven means that they can speak directly to God on our behalf.

think about the last lines in the Hail Mary “pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.” it is a request to pray to God for us. Since she is the Mother of God she is closest to Him… many people are uncomfortable with this term “Mother of God” again this is not blasphemous… she is His mother, He decided that she would be. it does not mean she is a goddess or created Him… just like you have a mother but she did not “create you” (God did) God has a mother but she did not “create God.”

que Dios te bendiga
 
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