[drypowder]

I am not a Catholic but was married to one. I attended Catholic Church serves with her and her family every Sunday. One thing I could never understand is why they sometimes prayed to the Virgin Marry. Reverence to the Mother of Jesus is fine but when I asked them why they pray to Her, they told me that is how they were raised in the Catholic religion. So much for the First Commandment.

[pgyanke]

One thing I could never understand is why they sometimes prayed to the Virgin Marry.

We believe in the Communion of Saints. We are one Church here on Earth (the Church Militant) united with the Kingdom of Heaven (the Church Triumphant). As such, we beseech the prayers of the saints just as we ask for each other's prayers here.

Note the words of the Hail Mary prayer. After greeting Her as She was greeted by the Angel Gabriel and acknowledging Her own words in her Magnificat we ask: "... pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death."

[Phillyred]

We pray through her and ask for her intercession to Jesus, her Son. It is like asking a friend to pray for you. Except she has a little more “pull” than your friend. Same with the saints. They are close to God, so we talk to them and ask for help. Make sense now?