OCIA Session 13: Mary & the Saints – Communion of Saints and Marian Devotion

Welcome back, everyone! We’ve been diving deep into the sacraments and God’s presence in our lives. Today, we turn to a subject that often raises questions - sometimes even misunderstandings: Mary and the Saints.

Non-Catholics sometimes ask: “Why do Catholics worship Mary? Why do you pray to saints instead of God?” Well, let’s clear that up right now: Catholics do not worship Mary or the saints. Worship belongs to God alone. Mary and the saints are honored as friends, role models, and prayer partners in our journey of faith.

Who Are the Saints?

The saints are ordinary people who lived extraordinary love. They are men and women who allowed God’s grace to transform them, and they now live in heaven with Him. Some are famous - like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Teresa of Calcutta. Others are hidden and known only to God.

When we talk about the “Communion of Saints,” we mean the whole family of God:

The Church in heaven (the saints).
The Church on earth (us).
The Church in purgatory (those being purified for heaven).

It’s one big family - united in Christ.

Humor Break

You know how every family has those relatives you look up to, and those who embarrass you at Thanksgiving? Well, the Church family has saints and sinners too. The good news is, in heaven, only the saints get to the banquet table.

Why Mary Is Special

Mary is not just one saint among many. She is the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and our spiritual mother. At the Annunciation, she said yes to God’s plan: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” Because of her yes, the Word became flesh. At the Cross, Jesus said to John: “Behold, your mother.” That gift wasn’t just for John - it was for all of us. So Catholics honor Mary not as a goddess, but as the best disciple, the one who always points us to Jesus. Think of her as the moon: she has no light of her own, but reflects the light of the Son.

Interactive Reflection

Take a moment. If you could ask Mary one thing as a mother, what would it be? Write it down. Maybe it’s for comfort, guidance, or courage. Later this week, bring it to prayer by saying a Hail Mary.

How We Pray with the Saints

When Catholics “pray to” saints, we really mean “pray with.” We ask them to intercede for us - like asking a friend to pray for you. The difference is, these friends are already in heaven, right next to God.

Examples:

St. Joseph - patron of families and workers.
St. Jude - patron of hopeless causes (and who hasn’t felt that?).
St. Anthony - patron of lost things (because let’s be honest, we all lose our keys).

Humor Break #2

Catholics joke: “If you can’t find your car keys, St. Anthony is faster than AAA.” But don’t forget: saints aren’t vending machines. They lead us closer to Christ, not just to lost objects.

Marian Devotion

The most popular Catholic prayer is the Rosary. It’s not just “Hail Mary” on repeat. It’s a meditation on the life of Christ through Mary’s eyes: His birth, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection. Other Marian devotions include feast days (like the Assumption), consecration to Mary, and pilgrimages to Marian shrines. But again, the goal is always Jesus. Mary says at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you.” That’s her role - always pointing us to Him.

Parish Connection

Look around your parish: statues, stained glass, feast celebrations. They’re not decorations. They’re reminders of the bigger family we belong to. When you celebrate Mary and the saints, you’re reminded that holiness is possible - and you’re never alone.

Interactive Activity

Pair up or reflect quietly: Which saint do you admire most, and why? Or, if you’re not sure yet, what kind of saint would you like to be someday?

Action Step

This week:

Pray one decade of the Rosary. Focus on a mystery of Christ’s life.
Learn about one saint whose feast day is coming up.
At Mass, notice the saints mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayer (Mary, Joseph, apostles, and others).

Closing

Mary and the saints remind us that holiness is not for superheroes - it’s for ordinary people who say yes to God. They are our family in heaven, cheering us on, praying for us, and showing us the way to Christ. Next time, we’ll look at Catholic morality - starting with the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes, and what it means to live a truly Catholic life. Until then, remember: you are part of a communion bigger than yourself. And in that communion, you are never alone.

next class:
OCIA Session 14: Catholic Morality I – Ten Commandments and Beatitudes