Anyone who asks this has obviously never been to a Catholic mass. Catholics pray to God and offer thanksgiving to God a lot as part of routine worship. A number of prayers Catholics are encouraged to say are to God or are directed to the Trinity. The Our Father, the Confiteor, the Act of Faith, the Act of Hope, the Act of Love, and the Act of Contrition to name a few. (Click here for these prayers.)
Catholics do not "officially" pray to Mary and the saints, but ask for their prayers. This is based on the belief that since death cannot separate us from Christ, neither can death separate us from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, we can ask for their intercession (prayers) for our needs. Some saints seem to have a special interest in certain activities, needs or geographical areas and are called Patron Saints.
Do you believe that Jesus is the Savior?
Quoting from the Catechism:
517 Christ's whole life is mystery of redemption. Redemption comes to us above all throught he blood of his cross, but this mystery is at work throughout Christ's entire life:
- already in his Incarnation through which by becoming poor he enriches us with his poverty;
- in his hidden life which by his submission atones for our disobedience;
- in his word which purifies his hearers;
- in his healings and exorcisms by which "he took or infirmities and bore our diseases";
- and in his Resurrection by which he justifies us. . . .
615 "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous." By his obedience unto death, Jesus accomplished the substitution of the suffering Servant, who "makes himself an offering for sin," when "he bore the sin of many," and who "shall make many to be accounted righteous," for "he shall bear their iniquities." Jesus atoned for our faults and made satisfaction for our sins to the Father. . . .
617 The Council of Trent emphasizes the unique character of Christ's sacrifice as the "source of eternal salvation" and teaches that "his most holy Passion on the wood of the cross merited justification for us." And the Church venerates his cross as it sings: "Hail O Cross, our only hope."
The Catholic Church definitely teaches that Christ is our Savior, our Redeemer. If the Church did not adhere to this teaching, the crucifix would probably not be displayed prominently in all Catholic churches. The passages from the Catechism are beautifully worded weaving scripture and doctrine.
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