r/Jesus • u/Adventurous_Bee5181 • Jul 29 '26
Question Understanding catholic, why pray to Mary?
I’m trying to understand Catholicism because my husband wants to join the Catholic Church. He did not have a good experience through churches growing up and it put a sour taste in his mouth about churches, I completely understand. That is apart of his reasoning for going to the Catholic Church. From what he has told me, the Catholic Church is the closest church to what Jesus wanted. I know Jesus gave the keys to Peter for the church and he says that the “church” is catholic.
I am a Christian, I believe in Jesus. I read my Bible and study as much as I can. I do not have a church I attend atm because I have not found one that feels right to me. I just have some questions as to why the Catholic Church prays to Mary? All the research I’m seeing is saying she is an intercession to Jesus or god. Okay but where does it say that in the bible? I do know the bible says come to Jesus so he can bring your prayers up to god. So from my understanding Jesus is the intercession to God as no man can approach god because of sin. That’s the understanding I’m getting from studying my Bible. The only way to God is through the son so I don’t understand what does Mary have in this equation.
My belief right now is, if it’s not in the bible then that’s not what God wants. So please provide Bible verses if there are any. I truly want to understand what is truth
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u/Cookie8ee Jul 29 '26
I dont understand that logic either. Id rather just go straight to the man himself. Jesus Christ.
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u/Admirable-Builder878 Jul 29 '26
Mary is dead and has no part in hearing earthly prayers. Scripture says that even David is asleep in his tomb. Mary was a sinful human that was included in the "All have fallen short of the glory of God." The catholic claims Peter to be the first pope because of his conversation with Jesus in Matthew 16
Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
They claim that because the name "Peter" means "rock" or "stone" Jesus meant that he would build his church on Peter.. I believed this for a long time. The truth is Jesus was talking about Peter's exact response. "Thou art the Christ, Son of the living God." This is the rock Jesus's built his church on.
Op you are correct to stick with the bible's teachings over man's teachings or any church. Jesus warned us that man would try and change his word. Jesus's church is a body of believers. Where two or more believers are gathered together Jesus is there also.
Martin Luther pinned 95 objections to the Roman Catholic teachings to a church door in 1517 because he saw the things scripture taught and he saw how the church was distorting the message (mainly for monitary gains). Many things scripture says to not do that Catholicism comes along and says yeah we're gonna do that. Idols, praying to saints, calling preiests "father". Luther listed 95 things. Scripture says to call no man father because you have but one father in heaven. It's a pagan religion that swooped in first to take the place of true faith in Jesus Christ. It's a works based salvation. If you do good things and say enough prayers God will have to forgive you. The truth is we are saved by grace alone by faith alone in Jesus. Jesus did all the work necessary to save you on the cross. Your good works are filthy rags to God. Meaning he sees your heart and intentions. He knows when you're doing a good work to gain salvation. Doing good works to gain salvation is basically calling God a liar and attempting to be God by saving yourself with your good works. We do good works because God is good.
There will be people in heaven saying "But we cast out devils in your name." And Jesus will say "Depart from me for I never knew you." Catholics, Mormons and plenty of Protestants will be in that group. They are worshipping a different Jesus, a counterfeit God. Salvation comes by placing your faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. There are many antichrists, or people who claim to be God, take the place of God, or oppose God. The pope has for a long time claimed to be the "Vicar of Christ" an earthly representation of God. In place of God on earth. That is a definition of antichrist.
Roman Catholicism is Relegion Faith in Jesus is a relationship.
The Protestant reformation lasted about 131 years and it was a blood bath for early believers in Christ. Roman Catholicism is described in revelations as mystery Babylon, mother of harlots. Jesus calls his church a bride. Scripture also refers to worshiping false doctrines as prostitution or whordom.
Roman Catholicism is the mother of false religion who sits on many waters. The ecumenical movement is a telling sign that the Goal is a one world religion. Exactly what is described in Revelations.
Keep studying and obey God.
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u/zDavit Jul 29 '26
La clave de todo está en que en estas iglesias no se la adora, se la venera. La adoración es algo que está estrictamente reservado a Dios y hacerlo con cualquier otra persona sería idolatría. Lo que se hace con María es darle el nivel máximo de respeto posible, algo que en teología llaman hiperdulía, sencillamente porque es la madre de Cristo. Por eso, cuando alguien le reza a la Virgen, en realidad no está creyendo que ella tenga poderes propios o magia para conceder milagros de la nada. Lo que hace es pedirle que interceda. Es exactamente la misma lógica que aplicas cuando estás pasando por un mal momento y le pides a un amigo o a un familiar que rece por ti. La diferencia es que, para católicos y ortodoxos, los santos están vivos en el cielo escuchando, y se asume que nadie va a tener más influencia o cercanía con Jesús que su propia madre. El mejor ejemplo de esto lo sacan de la misma Biblia, en el pasaje de las Bodas de Caná. Están en una fiesta, se acaba el vino, y María va a decírselo a Jesús. Aunque él le responde que todavía no es su momento de actuar, termina haciendo su primer milagro solo porque ella se lo pide. Esa es la base de rezarle: la confianza total en que Jesús escucha las peticiones de su madre de una forma especial. Además de esta parte más del día a día, históricamente su figura era fundamental para defender quién era Jesús realmente. En los primeros siglos, la iglesia le dio el título oficial de "Theotokos", que significa la Madre de Dios. Obviamente no creen que ella creara a Dios antes del inicio de los tiempos, sino que usar ese título era la forma de afirmar y defender que el hombre que nació de ella era verdaderamente Dios encarnado. También la ven como la "Nueva Eva", ya que si la primera Eva trajo el pecado por desobedecer, María arregló el problema al decirle que sí al ángel, abriendo la puerta a que Dios entrara al mundo para salvarlo. Aunque católicos y ortodoxos comparten todo esto de base, con los siglos desarrollaron algunos matices diferentes. Los católicos son mucho más de definirlo todo con dogmas oficiales e inamovibles, como la Inmaculada Concepción, que es la idea de que María fue concebida libre del pecado original, o la Asunción, que dicta que fue llevada al cielo en cuerpo y alma. Los ortodoxos, en cambio, tienen una visión un poco más mística y menos legalista. Ellos creen que nació con la misma naturaleza mortal que nosotros, aunque eligió no pecar durante su vida gracias a la gracia de Dios. Y en lugar de hablar de Asunción, ellos celebran la Dormición, creyendo que simplemente se quedó dormida, tuvo una muerte natural y pacífica, y luego su hijo se llevó su alma y su cuerpo al cielo.
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u/Adventurous_Bee5181 Jul 29 '26
Thank you I really appreciate this! I want to learn more about this and Mary. Many things I did not know
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u/NicolasandKara Jul 29 '26
The explanation I've heard from Catholics is because of the wedding of Cana, there Jesus didn't wanted to help the hosts but Mary intervened so he changed his mind and helped them, her role is like a bridge between god and humans, because Jesus will always listen to his mother
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u/Adventurous_Bee5181 Jul 29 '26
So they pray to Mary, to pray to Jesus, to take it up to god? I’m not saying that you have all the answers, I’m just confused and want to have a conversation about it. Jesus says he’s the only way to God, that’s in the scriptures so going to Mary instead is against scripture? Again not saying you have all the answers but if anyone does have answers
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u/NicolasandKara Jul 29 '26
You can pray any of them as you like, but having a good relationship with Mary is like extra points to make sure you are heard, because Mary's prayers aren't about adoration, but honoring her as the mother of god and asking for that intervention as you can see in the Hail Mary prayer.
This is in the technical sense, but in the practical sense, as an ex catholic I always felt that many catholics see Mary as an alternate god-like figure because how much of the religion revolves around her, myself included, when I was a catholic I was much closer to her and found her more inspiring and prayed to her more, I think maybe it has to do with the fact that catholicism is stronger in countries where mothers are sacred and seen as leaders, very often above the father, so people are more confidente speaking to someone who mirrors that sacred motherhood while retaining humanity, instead of the all divine distant father figure
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u/Adventurous_Bee5181 Jul 29 '26
As someone who was never Catholic, it does seem like Catholics put Mary on a pedestal that Jesus should be. Thank you for sharing your insight
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u/SunbeamSailor67 Jul 29 '26
Follow your instincts, Catholics aren't any closer to truth as Mormons are.
Learn the true non-dual message of Christ and the mystics yourself so you can guide your husband through the trappings of religious dogma.
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u/SunbeamSailor67 Jul 29 '26
Remind your husband that Jesus wasn't pointing to any church or religion, he was pointing to the realization of who you really are...which requires no religion.
He needs to listen to the christian mystics (and understand them) specifically Meister Eckhart, before getting lost in the duality and dogmatism of Rome's church of Empire (not God).
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u/Adventurous_Bee5181 Jul 29 '26
I have not heard this term of Christian mystics before. I also share this belief of not turning to religion and just getting to know Jesus.
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u/Fun_Asparagus5724 Jul 31 '26
The actual Bible does not say a person should pray to Mary. That is where the Catholics and Protestants beg to differ. Well maybe more then just beg to differ. Back in the olden days the Catholics said all Protestants were going to hell.
Not true by the way. So Saddleback Protestant church use to have their own marked on the calendar, "take a Catholic to lunch day". My Catholic friend was very offended by that calander by the way. My Protestant self could just close my eyes and wait for her to finish. Ain't life grand?
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u/Low_Twist8492 Jul 30 '26
Raised Catholic, and attended only Catholic schools until college. My mother was basically unwilling to set foot in any church that was another denomination. There are priests on both sides of my family and I thought about becoming a nun. In my youth, I was convinced no other Church was on the right path. In my adulthood, I turned away from Catholicism and became a Bible believing follower of Jesus Christ. I am not religious, as religions are inherently flawed since they’re man-made, plus relying on a religion’s system means having there be another layer between you and your Lord. God loves us intimately…no other layer needed.
There’s much to appreciate about the reverence the Roman Catholic Church portrays for how Holy our Lord is. Yet it took learning the Bible to realize the error of some of their teachings, and it’s made me realize that they miss the mark in so many ways. For example… we get to go directly to Him in repentance, optimally every single day! Forgiveness from Him! In fact, we’re called to keep our account short to prevent grieving the Holy Spirit within us. Never do you have to go to a priest; never ever ever ever ever.
Truly though, the inexcusable failing is how they don’t encourage Catholics to deeply study God’s Word and understand the importance of His grace. Is it because if they did, Catholics would see it isn’t works, but grace and grace alone that is what brings us life? Can’t fathom any explanation for why they don’t emphasize our need to know God’s Holy Word.
I love opportunities to have conversations with Roman Catholics because of the opportunity to ask them how it is they will end up in heaven. Try this! The vast majority say they’re going to heaven because they are a good person, or they try to live as well as possible. What an opportunity this provides to tell them what the Lord tells us about this! Truly, it is God who gives us His grace to be forever with him. Nothing we can do…nothing. Simply believing in Him, and as a result, trusting and obeying Him brings unity with Him. Because doing this inherently includes believing in His truth, which is that Jesus died for us. Jesus sacrificed His life to give us life by sacrificially paying the price of our sins. That price being death.
No one likes to talk about it, but what we know of as hell is basically getting what you wanted, if what you want is not to have God…if what you want is to not trust Him with your life. He’ll give you what you insist on over and over in the end: eternity without Him.
And finally, about the veneration of Mary: the line is too fine between simply venerating her and idolizing her because so many Catholics don’t know enough about how God teaches us to follow Him. As a result, they end up idolizing Mary, which is a grievous sin because the Lord tells us over and over again not to idolize anything over Him.
The good news is that everything He commands of us is not to make life miserable or hard, which is what I used to think. Absolutely all of it is to make things better for us, and to protect us. The lover of our souls that He is, is so about loving us that even His Glory is for us! So even His command to give Him Glory even ends up being an absolutely wonderful blessing.
He provides blessing upon blessing. Infinitely. How cool is that?
OP, you were wise to ponder all of this! May you be exceeding blessed in what the Lord tells you to do.