Prayer and the saints
Why do Catholics ask Mary and the saints to pray for us?
Honor is not worship. The saints intercede within Christ's one Body.
The short answer
Catholics worship God alone. We ask Mary and the saints to pray for us for the same reason we ask Christians on earth to pray for us: the whole Church is one family in Christ, and death does not sever that communion.
A closer look
Scripture tells Christians to pray for one another and shows the prayers of God's people being offered in heaven. The saints are alive in Christ, more closely united to him, and their prayer depends entirely on his grace and his unique mediation.
Mary has a unique place because she is the Mother of Jesus and the first disciple. At Cana she noticed a need, brought it to her Son, and directed the servants to obey him. Catholic devotion follows that same pattern: Mary points beyond herself and toward Jesus.
Open the Bible
Scripture to explore
The Church's teaching
Catechism and Church witness
Bring it into prayer
A moment with God
Jesus, keep my heart centered on you. Thank you for joining your Church into one family. Through the prayers of Mary and all the saints, help me follow you faithfully. Amen.