Why Do Catholics Say The Hail Mary?

[Winter_Rose]

I’m curious to why Catholics say the Hail Mary? Unfortunately I don’t feel comfortable saying it as I believe that I should pray to God through Jesus and no one else. I also don’t like how other people say that Catholics worship statues and things like that.

 

[zab]

I don’t like it when people say things about the Catholic Faith that is not true either. As far as praying the Hail Mary, it is Scriptural. See:
ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/rosary/scripture.htm

The Rosary and Sacred Scripture
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Luke 1:28 "And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you."
The Greek kecharitomene means favored by grace, graced. Its tense suggests a permanent state of being “highly favored,” thus full of grace. Charity, the divine love within us, comes from the same root. God is infinite Goodness, infinite Love. Mary is perfect created goodness, filled to the limit of her finite being with grace or charity.

Blessed art thou among women

Luke 1:41-42a "When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women…"

Luke 1:48 "For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed."
continued here: ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/rosary/scripture.htm

 

[St_Redemption]

I don’t like it when people say things about the Catholic Faith that is not true either. As far as praying the Hail Mary, it is Scriptural. See:
ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/rosary/scripture.htm

To me it’s very difficult to state that one should pray through Mary based on vague lines in scripture like this. I don’t think anybody would deny that Mary was a wonderful woman obviously, but I really don’t see how these verses translate into such fervent prayer involving her. It’s one of my sticking points with Catholicism.

I need to research the basis of Marianism.

 

[Micosil]

I’m curious to why Catholics say the Hail Mary? Unfortunately I don’t feel comfortable saying it as I believe that I should pray to God through Jesus and no one else. I also don’t like how other people say that Catholics worship statues and things like that.

To me it’s very difficult to state that one should pray through Mary based on vague lines in scripture like this. I don’t think anybody would deny that Mary was a wonderful woman obviously, but I really don’t see how these verses translate into such fervent prayer involving her. It’s one of my sticking points with Catholicism.

I need to research the basis of Marianism.

I would heartily recommend Tim Staples’ Behold Your Mother and Scott Hahn’s Hail, Holy Queen, both knowledgeable apologists who have been featured on catholic.com. They present a staggering amount of Biblical evidence for various Catholic teachings: Mary being the New Eve, Mary being the Ark of the New Covenant, her Immaculate Conception, being Theotokos (God-bearer), etc.

 

[zab]

To me it’s very difficult to state that one should pray through Mary based on vague lines in scripture like this. I don’t think anybody would deny that Mary was a wonderful woman obviously, but I really don’t see how these verses translate into such fervent prayer involving her. It’s one of my sticking points with Catholicism.

I need to research the basis of Marianism.

It is not that we** must** pray through Mary, but that we know that we can pray through Mary. We also pray to our Heavenly Father through Christ our Lord. Protestants don’t seem to have a problem asking others to pray for this or that situation, for example, asking others to pray for my mother who is so ill etc. People who have died and are in heaven have not ceased to exist. They are still capable of praying for us. And who better to ask for prayers than the mother of Jesus?

 

[johnnyc176]

To me it’s very difficult to state that one should pray through Mary based on vague lines in scripture like this. I don’t think anybody would deny that Mary was a wonderful woman obviously, but I really don’t see how these verses translate into such fervent prayer involving her. It’s one of my sticking points with Catholicism.

I need to research the basis of Marianism.

Well first of all the Catholic Church does not hold to Scripture alone. Mary is included in the communion of the saints but as the Mother of God we give her special veneration. When Christ told John to behold your mother the Church Fathers saw that as Christ giving His mother to the Church… Just as you would ask someone you know here on earth to pray for you we Catholics believe, and Scripture and Tradition shows us, that it is also good to ask the saints in heaven to pray for us.

 

[marlap2]

Coming from a mixed faith tradition and becoming Catholic, I have come to love the prayers of the Rosary and of the Divine Mercy as mantras of love …

“Mantra” (/ˈmæntrə, ˈmɑːn-, ˈmʌn-/;[2] Sanskrit: मन्त्र) means a sacred utterance, numinous sound, or a syllable, word, phonemes, or group of words believed by some to have psychological and spiritual power.[3][4] A mantra may or may not have syntactic structure or literal meaning; the spiritual value of a mantra comes when it is audible, visible, or present in thought.

The prayers of the rosary are a loving response to Our Blessed Mother, but their purpose (for me) is that they focus the mind into deep prayer, defining a mental space where I can truly reflect on the life of Christ, (the mysteries). Quite often in undefined mental prayer, my mind can wander easily, and it can be difficult to contemplate particular moments in the life of Christ, in relation to my own, etc.

But the prayers of the rosary seem to fill up that space, and leave enough room for deep contemplation. I have read that the prayers of the Rosary can be physical, spoken, contemplative, employing elements of Lectio Divina, and intercessory.

 

[St_Redemption]

I would heartily recommend Tim Staples’ Behold Your Mother and Scott Hahn’s Hail, Holy Queen, both knowledgeable apologists who have been featured on catholic.com. They present a staggering amount of Biblical evidence for various Catholic teachings: Mary being the New Eve, Mary being the Ark of the New Covenant, her Immaculate Conception, being Theotokos (God-bearer), etc.

Im actually going to the library today. I will see if they have them, thanks for he suggestion

 

[pianistclare]

To me it’s very difficult to state that one should pray through Mary based on vague lines in scripture like this. I don’t think anybody would deny that Mary was a wonderful woman obviously, but I really don’t see how these verses translate into such fervent prayer involving her. It’s one of my sticking points with Catholicism.

I need to research the basis of Marianism.

Scripture is vague? Since when?
There is no such thing as “Marianism”.
She’s the Mother of God.

 

[ericc]

To me it’s very difficult to state that one should pray through Mary based on vague lines in scripture like this. I don’t think anybody would deny that Mary was a wonderful woman obviously, but I really don’t see how these verses translate into such fervent prayer involving her. It’s one of my sticking points with Catholicism.

I need to research the basis of Marianism.

It extends beyond Mary and encompasses the Saints as well. Catholics subscribe to the communion of Saints where we are all living members of Christ’s Body. We ask for their prayers of those saints in heaven (as well as on earth) where they are close to God.Rev 7:15 The prayers of a righteous man are powerful indeed. James 5:16, what more the prayers of the Queen Mother, the Mother of God.

But Mary occupies an elevated position among the Saints. By virtue of being the Queen Mother and that the Son honors his parents, she is well placed to help us. Moreover, she is feared by demons.

All generations will call her blessed. Do you? With so much doubt about her, how could you call her blessed? You hardly know her, the Mother of God. Did you know that she is your Mother too when Jesus handed her over to John while on the cross? You call each other brothers and sisters in Christ. And since Jesus is your brother, that makes his mum yours too. And when was the last time Protestants called her blessed? When was the last time you talked to Jesus mum?

These lines are vague ? How so? They are extracted from Luke 1:28 and 42. These are undisputed and a lot clearer than salvation by faith alone.

Search under Mariology as well. She is not a deity and we do not worship her. If necessary, discard what you have been previously taught by Protestants and start afresh.

Why so many fervent prayers to her? The prayers of a righteous (wo)man is powerful indeed. Many experienced miracles through her. Many experienced her presence and a Mother’s love for her children.

 

[pianistclare]

Indeed. We believe Christ to be fully human and and fully Divine.
On the last day, I want Jesus Christ to remember that I respected and revered His mother.
Not that I worshipped her or made her into some kind of God. We don’t. But we clearly understand that she desires us to be close to her Son, and that she intercedes for us. He certainly acknowledges the prayers of His own mother.
That kind of sincere love is never foolish.
Peace.

 

[KP3243]

Dr. Mark Miravalle is a professor at the most Catholic university we have in the U.S., Francisian University, and he specializes in Marian Devotion. He has a great CD you can download from Lighthouse Catholic Media about why Catholics pay so much attention to Mary.

Behold your Mother
lighthousecatholicmedia.org/store/title/meet-your-mother-an-introduction-to-mary

 

[Jeanne_S]

Coming from a mixed faith tradition and becoming Catholic, I have come to love the prayers of the Rosary and of the Divine Mercy as mantras of love …

“Mantra” (/ˈmæntrə, ˈmɑːn-, ˈmʌn-/;[2] Sanskrit: मन्त्र) means a sacred utterance, numinous sound, or a syllable, word, phonemes, or group of words believed by some to have psychological and spiritual power.[3][4] A mantra may or may not have syntactic structure or literal meaning; the spiritual value of a mantra comes when it is audible, visible, or present in thought.

The prayers of the rosary are a loving response to Our Blessed Mother, but their purpose (for me) is that they focus the mind into deep prayer, defining a mental space where I can truly reflect on the life of Christ, (the mysteries). Quite often in undefined mental prayer, my mind can wander easily, and it can be difficult to contemplate particular moments in the life of Christ, in relation to my own, etc.

But the prayers of the rosary seem to fill up that space, and leave enough room for deep contemplation. I have read that the prayers of the Rosary can be physical, spoken, contemplative, employing elements of Lectio Divina, and intercessory.

Beautifully stated!

 

[jinglebelle]

I’m curious to why Catholics say the Hail Mary? Unfortunately I don’t feel comfortable saying it as I believe that I should pray to God through Jesus and no one else. I also don’t like how other people say that Catholics worship statues and things like that.

Interesting but why?

 

[Magdalen2013]

Because, if Mary hadn’t said “Yes” to God we would not have Jesus.

Jesus came to us through His Mother, and that is why we love her and honor her:

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

“Behold the handmaid of the Lord! Be it done unto me according to THY Word.”

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

She is the pure vessel that contained the Holy Spirit and bore God within her womb.

 

[jinglebelle]

Because, if Mary hadn’t said “Yes” to God we would not have Jesus.

Jesus came to us through His Mother, and that is why we love her and honor her:

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

“Behold the handmaid of the Lord! Be it done unto me according to THY Word.”

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

She is the pure vessel that contained the Holy Spirit and bore God within her womb.

yes,get that,so why should someone who declare catholic not?

 

[St_Redemption]

Scripture is vague? Since when?
There is no such thing as “Marianism”.
She’s the Mother of God.

Catholic apologists use the term Marianism all the time. Marianism describes Catholic behavior towards Mary, as opposed to protestant behavior. I’m not sure what you mean we you say that, “there is no Marianism.” It’s a lot like saying, “there is no Republicanism.”

Scripture can be vague because language itself can be rather vague.

I don’t think anybody is denying that she is the mother of God. By “vague” I meant off point by matter of direct syllogism to the matter in question. ie-“since scripture calls Mary Blessed, we should pray to her.” Of course there is tradition to consider, but I was replying merely to that point of scripture made by the aforementioned poster in question.

 

[St_Redemption]

.

All generations will call her blessed. Do you? With so much doubt about her, how could you call her blessed? You hardly know her, the Mother of God. Did you know that she is your Mother too when Jesus handed her over to John while on the cross? You call each other brothers and sisters in Christ. And since Jesus is your brother, that makes his mum yours too. And when was the last time Protestants called her blessed? When was the last time you talked to Jesus mum?

These lines are vague ? How so? They are extracted from Luke 1:28 and 42. These are undisputed and a lot clearer than salvation by faith alone.

I am well aware that you do not worship Mary. And nowhere did I even vaguely imply that you did.

By vague I was specifically referring to the correlation by the post I was referring to wherein it was suggested that since a particular line in scripture called her blessed that therefore she should be prayed to. That specific correlation is vague. That’s all.

And I am rather pro-Catholic on a number of points. Moreso than I am on Protestant points. Im a mile away from sola scriptura (for example)

 

[ericc]

I am well aware that you do not worship Mary. And nowhere did I even vaguely imply that you did.

By vague I was specifically referring to the correlation by the post I was referring to wherein it was suggested that since a particular line in scripture called her blessed that therefore she should be prayed to. That specific correlation is vague. That’s all.

And I am rather pro-Catholic on a number of points. Moreso than I am on Protestant points. Im a mile away from sola scriptura (for example)

Then perhaps the vagueness is more of the “prayers to saints”? If one understand the communion of saints, then there shouldn’t be any apprehension praying to them. Is this the real hold up for you? I can assure you that this is very biblical, praying for others and as well as asking others to pray for us. I am sure you do ask others to pray for you and likewise you for others… If you accept that saints in heaven are very much alive and very much part of Christ body, his Church, it is a no brainer that asking them to pray for you is a natural thing to do. They are already confirmed righteous compared to our earthly brothers and sisters who you will not hesitate to ask them to pray for you. A tremendous resource to aid us on our journey.

Mary occupies an esteemed position by virtue her being Mother of God.

 

[Gorgias]

To me it’s very difficult to state that one should pray through Mary based on vague lines in scripture like this. I don’t think anybody would deny that Mary was a wonderful woman obviously, but I really don’t see how these verses translate into such fervent prayer involving her.

I’m not certain that I understand your objection to praying the ‘Hail Mary.’

The first half of the prayer is Scriptural – in praying, we’re quoting Scripture. The second half of the Hail Mary is simply asking Mary to pray for us: in Scripture, we’re told to pray for one another.

‘Devotion to Mary’ aside… what’s the problem with this prayer?