Thursday, May 6, 2010

Why We Pray To Mary

4 comments:

Allison said...

Great video, Sarah. I added a link from YIM Catholic's facebook page to this blog post.

Allison said...

I haven't watched the video yet, but I think the title of this post could be a little misleading...since we don't pray TO Mary. We ask Mary to pray FOR us. If you say we "pray to Mary" it makes it seem as though we are expecting Mary to answer our prayers...when, in fact, it is only God who answers our prayers :)

Just don't want to perpetuate the common myth amongst non-Catholics that we put Mary on the same level as God!

Allison said...

You know other Allison (!) I was just thinking the same thing. I am working on a blogpost myself about songs about the Blessed Mother and wheneveIr I write about Her I always make sure to say we are not praying TO Her, but asking Her to pray for us.

"Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners."

I don't mean to rain on a lovely month of postings, Sarah, but I think the other Allison has a good point.
Blessings to all,

Sarah Harkins said...

I'm back from vacay, so I'm finally responding. I understand what you mean about how people could be mislead and it's good to clarify, but it's not wrong to say we pray to Mary. If you think about what the definition of "pray" means, it correct to say we pray to Mary. Here is the Mirriam-Webster def. I took from the internet:
Main Entry: pray

transitive verb 1 : entreat, implore —often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea
2 : to get or bring by prayingintransitive verb 1 : to make a request in a humble manner
2 : to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving

Only the last one, which is probably the most commonly used form of the verb "to pray" that used by Christians today, would be wrong to use with Mary. But I think we can agree that the misunderstanding by other Christians is larger than a syntax error or verb usage. I think it's a start...but not the end-all.
Thanks for bringing this up, Allison. it's a good point!