Why do Catholics Pray to Mary?

Have you ever asked anyone on earth to pray for you? That is what Catholics do when they ask the Virgin Mary or the saints to pray for us. The ‘Hail Mary' is simply a prayer asking the Mother of God to intercede on our behalf and giving praise to God for having worked such wonders through this young woman, “the humble servant of the Lord”, who became a most unique instrument in God's plan of salvation. During her visit to her cousin St. Elizabeth Mary says: “For he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call me blessed.” ( Luke 1:48) Each time we revere the Blessed Virgin by saying the ‘Hail Mary' or the rosary or some other prayer, the Church fulfills Mary's prophesy.

Just as we would honour the pleas of someone close to us on behalf of a third party, so Mary intercedes for us with her Son. Because of her special relationship with Jesus and because of her closeness to him in heaven, we can be certain that Christ will honour her prayers. To quote the late Pope John Paul II: “St. John tells us that at the wedding feast of Cana, when Jesus began his public ministry by turning water into wine, he worked the miracle at the urging of his Mother, who was concerned with the needs of the guests.” (Malta May 26 th 1990) Even though Christ responded to his Mother saying that his ministry had not yet begun, he heeded her request.

Later on in St. John's Gospel, Christ gives his Mother to St. John saying “Behold your Mother!” (Jn 19:27) In these words Christ gives his own Mother to each beloved disciple to become the spiritual mother of her Son's followers throughout the ages.

If Christ, the perfect Son, honoured his mother as the commandment says we should, we cannot but follow his example and honour in faith and prayer the Blessed Virgin Mary as our spiritual mother.

Eric Mason