There's Something About Mary

Why do you Catholics worship and pray to Mary?

I hear that question asked on a fairly regular basis. The easiest way to answer it is to refer to the most wonderful of Marian prayers - the Hail Mary. In that prayer, we certainly venerate Mary. Think about your own mother. You undoubtedly have a very special place in your heart for her - even if she happens to be (or had been) not the greatest of people or maternal nurturers. Why shouldn't Christians, not just Catholics, hold a very special place in our hearts for the Mother of Jesus? Countries like Brazil and Mexico are the most Catholic countries in the world based on population. It is no coincidence that those countries actively venerate Mary. Even Islam recognizes the special qualities of Mary.

As Catholics, we do not pray to anyone but God. However, we do pray through the saints, including Mary. In the last sentence of the Hail Mary, we do not pray to Her. Rather, we ask Mary to pray for us. If you keep up on the news, you know that we need all the help we can get.

There really is Something About Mary!