Why Do Catholics Pray to Mary and the Saints?

Play protection dodge ball:

1. Choose three people to throw the dodge balls.
2. Divide the rest of the group into teams of two.
3. One person on each team (“protector”) should try to protect the other person (“protectee”) from being hit.
4. If the “protectee” is hit, the team is out.

For complete instructions, see how to play protection dodge ball.

Follow up with a few questions:

• Was it easier to avoid being hit with someone helping you?
• Do you think this game is easier as a team?
• How well did you work together?

As Catholics, we believe that all who are baptized are members of the mystical body of Christ. We are all connected in a very special way. We support each other in our faith journey.

• Have you ever asked another Christian to pray for you? Why?
• Have you ever prayed for someone else?

Yes, part of that support includes praying for each other.

The bible tells us that we should pray for each other.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.

James 5:16

We also believe that the faithful, when they die, go to heaven, where they worship God with the angels and all of the saints. And the book of Revelation tells us

Another angel came and stood at the altar,  holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.

Revelation 8:3-4

So the angels and saints in heaven are able to pray to God. But they aren’t praying for themselves, since they are already in heaven.

So who are the angels and saints praying for? Us!

Catholics believe it is totally appropriate to ask others for prayers. We do this all the time with other Christians on Earth. This is why we pray to the saints. We are asking them to offer prayers to God for us. As members of the mystical body of Christ, it is right that we ask those who are already in heaven to pray for us also. This is why Catholics pray to the saints.

And it is important to understand that prayer is not the same as worship. Worship is for God alone. When we worship God, we recognize him as our creator and the ultimate mover in our lives.

Prayer is a spiritual conversation. When we pray to the saints, we are not worshiping them. We know that they have no power on their own. But in prayer, we ask them to repeat our requests to God and ask for his help for us. This is no different than asking a friend to pray for us.

Why Do Catholics Pray to Mary?

So why do Catholics pray to Mary in particular?

Jesus listens to Our Blessed Mother

Mary, as the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, has a special place in our hearts. And we know that when she asks something, Jesus listens to her. Consider the wedding at Cana

When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”John 2:3-5

We know the rest of the story, Jesus turns the water into wine. He does this at the request of his mother Mary.

Mary is the Queen

It is also important to understand a little history. During the time of King David and the later kings, the king’s mother held a very important position. She advised her son, the king, especially concerning the needs of the people.

In fact, the title of queen did not belong to one of the king’s many wives. Instead, the king’s mother was the queen. And she was greatly honored. Consider how King Solomon treated Bathsheba, his mother

Then Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, and the king stood up to meet her and paid her homage. Then he sat down upon his throne, and a throne was provided for the king’s mother, who sat at his right.1 Kings 2:19

She is advocating for one of Solomon’s brothers. Solomon stands up, bows to her, and sets up a throne for her.

Mary, as the mother of our Lord, holds this position in our spiritual lives. We proclaim Jesus Christ as our king. According to Jewish tradition, this makes Mary, his mother, our queen. And just like the queens of the past, we believe she advocates for the needs of us, the people of God.

Small group discussions help students think more deeply about why Catholics pray to Mary and the saints. Encourage open and respectful sharing. Remind students that asking questions is a good way to grow in faith. If someone is unsure about something, guide them back to scripture and Church teaching.

• Have you ever asked someone to pray for you? Why did you do that?
• How does asking Mary or the saints for prayers compare to asking a friend for prayers?
• What do you think is the difference between worshiping God and honoring Mary and the saints?
• How does the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11) help us understand why we pray to Mary?
• How do you feel knowing that the saints in heaven are praying for us?
• What would you say to someone who thinks Catholics worship Mary?
• How does understanding the Communion of Saints help us see why we pray to Mary and the saints?
• How can praying to Mary and the saints help us grow in our faith?

When you pray this week, ask one of the saints or our Blessed Mother to pray with you. Remember, you are never alone in your faith. The saints in heaven are part of God’s family, just like you. They care about you and want to bring your prayers to God. Choose a saint you connect with or simply turn to Mary, who is always ready to pray for you.

You are part of something much bigger than yourself. As a member of the mystical body of Christ, you are connected to all believers—both on earth and in heaven. Let this remind you that your prayers matter and that others are praying for you too.

A printable copy of the Memorare is available here.

As we finish this lesson, let’s take a moment to pray together. We have learned why Catholics pray to Mary and the saints. We do not worship them, but we ask for their prayers, just as we ask friends and family to pray for us. Mary, as the mother of Jesus, has a special place in our faith. She always leads us closer to her Son.

One beautiful way to pray to Mary is by saying the Memorare. This prayer asks for her help and reminds us that she always listens when we turn to her. It has been prayed by Catholics for centuries, especially in times of need. As we pray, let’s remember that we are never alone. Mary and the saints in heaven are praying for us, and we are part of a great family of faith.

Let’s pray together:

The Memorare

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.”

Take a moment to reflect on these words. Think about a need in your life or the life of someone you know. As you go forward this week, remember that Mary is always ready to pray with you. Turn to her in times of joy and in times of struggle. She will always bring your prayers to Jesus.

Themes

• Reverence vs. Worship: Catholics pray to Mary and the saints, but we do not worship them. Worship is for God alone. When we pray to Mary, we honor her and ask for her prayers.
• Asking for Prayers: Just as we ask friends to pray for us, we can pray to Mary and the saints for their prayers. They are close to God in heaven. Their prayers help us grow in faith.
• Mary’s Special Role: Catholics pray to Mary because she is the mother of Jesus. At the wedding at Cana, she asked Jesus to help, and he listened. We trust that she still brings our needs to him.
• Saints as Role Models: The saints lived holy lives and stayed faithful to God. When we pray to Mary and the saints, we remember their example. They inspire us to follow Jesus.
• Biblical Support: The Bible shows people asking others for prayers. James 5:16 says the prayers of the righteous are powerful. When we pray to Mary and the saints, we follow this teaching.
• The Communion of Saints: All baptized Christians are part of the Body of Christ. This includes those in heaven and on earth. When we pray to Mary and the saints, we recognize this connection.
• Mary as Our Mother: Jesus gave Mary to us as our spiritual mother. At the cross, he told John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:27). When we pray to Mary, we accept her care and guidance.
• The Saints Intercede for Us: Revelation 8:3-4 shows the saints offering prayers to God. They are not distant or unaware of us. When we pray to Mary and the saints, they bring our prayers to God.
• Jesus is the Only Mediator: Catholics believe that Jesus is the one true mediator between God and man. When we pray to Mary, we are not replacing Jesus. We are asking her to pray with us to him.
• Prayer Strengthens Our Faith: When we pray to Mary and the saints, we grow closer to God. Prayer reminds us of his presence in our lives. It helps us trust in his love and mercy.

Background Material

Catholics pray to Mary and the saints, but this does not mean we worship them. Worship is for God alone. When we pray to Mary, we honor her and ask for her prayers. This is similar to asking a friend to pray for us, but Mary and the saints are already in heaven and close to God.

The Bible encourages Christians to pray for each other. James 5:16 says, “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” The saints are righteous because they are with God in heaven. Revelation 8:3-4 describes the prayers of the saints rising before God like incense. This shows that they pray for us and bring our needs to God.

Mary has a special role in our faith. At the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), she asked Jesus to help when the wine ran out. Even though it was not yet his time, he listened to her and performed his first miracle. This shows that Jesus responds to Mary’s requests. When we pray to Mary, we trust that she still brings our needs to him.

The Church teaches that Mary is our spiritual mother. At the cross, Jesus told John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:27). Catholics believe this was not just for John, but for all of us. Mary cares for us like a mother and prays for us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Her role in relation to the Church and to all humanity goes still further. ‘In her maternal charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son’” (CCC 968). When we pray to Mary, we turn to her for help, just as we would turn to a loving mother.

The saints also have a role in our lives. Hebrews 12:1 describes them as a “great cloud of witnesses” surrounding us. They are not distant from us. They cheer us on in our faith and pray for us. When we pray to the saints, we are asking them to intercede for us before God.

Some people think that praying to Mary and the saints takes away from Jesus being our mediator. But Catholics believe that all prayer is ultimately directed to God. The Catechism explains, “The intercession of the saints is their most exalted service to God’s plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world” (CCC 2683). Asking the saints for prayers does not replace Jesus. Instead, it follows the biblical teaching of asking others to pray for us.

When Catholics pray to Mary and the saints, we do not worship them. We honor them as holy people who are with God. We ask for their prayers, just as we ask friends and family on earth to pray for us. This practice is rooted in scripture and supported by the Church’s teachings. It helps us grow closer to God and strengthens our faith.

Music Suggestions

• Hail, Holy Queen
• The End and the Beginning
• Blessed One
• Ave Maria
• Litany of Saints
• Sing With All the Saints In Glory 
• Hail Mary: Gentle Woman

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more resources to teach the faith? Our website offers many youth ministry lesson plans and reflections to help young people grow in their relationship with God. These lessons cover important Catholic teachings in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.

Visit our youth ministry lesson plans and reflections to find free lesson plans on prayer, scripture, the sacraments, and more. Whether you are a teacher, catechist, or youth minister, you will find helpful materials to guide your students in their faith journey.