The practice of praying to Mary, the mother of Jesus, dates back to the early days of Christianity. While the New Testament contains no specific endorsements of praying to Mary, early Christians saw Mary as a model of faith and looked to her as an intercessor. By the 3rd century, prayers invoking the help and intercession of Mary were in use. Over the centuries, the practice developed and took firm root within Catholic spirituality. Today, praying to Mary remains an integral part of Catholic devotion and belief.
Mary in the New Testament
In the New Testament, Mary appears prominently in the Gospels’s stories about Jesus’s birth and childhood. She is depicted as the mother of Jesus and a model disciple. Some key references to Mary include:
- Mary is told by the angel Gabriel that she will give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:26-38). Mary gives her fiat or “yes” to God’s plan with the words “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
- Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who declares Mary “blessed among women” (Luke 1:39-56). This scene forms the basis for the Catholic prayer the “Hail Mary.”
- Mary gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7).
- At the wedding feast of Cana, Mary tells Jesus about the lack of wine, and Jesus performs his first public miracle by turning water into wine (John 2:1-11).
- Mary is present at the Crucifixion, where Jesus entrusts her to the care of the apostle John (John 19:25-27).
Beyond these references, the New Testament says little specifically about Mary. It contains no clear endorsements about praying to her or venerating her. However, Christians early on saw Mary as a model of faith and humility to be emulated.
Emerging Marian Prayer in the Early Church
In the early centuries of the Church, emerging Marian doctrine and devotion were often associated with discussions about Mary’s key role in the Incarnation and with affirming Jesus’s divinity. Some key milestones include:
- Around 100 AD, the Protoevangelium of James, an apocryphal text, describes Mary’s childhood and portrays her as a consecrated virgin. This text promoted Mary’s perpetual virginity and holiness.
- In the 2nd century, St. Irenaeus of Lyons calls Mary the “New Eve” who participates in the saving work of Christ, the New Adam. This theme drew many comparisons between Eve, the mother of fallen humanity, and Mary, the mother of redeemed humanity.
- The Council of Ephesus in 431 affirmed Mary as Theotokos, a Greek title meaning “God-bearer.” This upheld the doctrine that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine.
- Art from the Roman catacombs beginning in the 2nd century depicts early Christians praying with hands raised in the “orans” posture – the same posture used in prayers to Mary today.
While these developments did not directly establish Marian prayer, they laid theological groundwork for venerating Mary and contributed to a growing appreciation of her role in salvation history.
Sub Tuum Praesidium – Earliest Known Marian Prayer
The earliest known prayer to Mary is the Sub Tuum Praesidium or “Under Your Protection.” Dating to around 250-280 AD, this prayer was found on an Egyptian papyrus:
Under your mercy we take refuge, Mother of God. Do not neglect our petitions in the midst of tribulation, but deliver us from danger, O only pure and blessed one.
This prayer illustrates that Christians were already directly praying for Mary’s intercession within centuries of Jesus’s life. It shows veneration of Mary was established by the early Church.
Growth of Marian Prayers in the Middle Ages
Marian prayers and hymns of veneration became increasingly common starting in the Middle Ages:
- The Angelus prayer, focusing on the Incarnation, dates from the 11th century and was recited three times daily.
- The Salve Regina or “Hail Holy Queen” was composed in the 11th century and fast became one of the most popular Marian hymns.
- The Rosary began taking form in the 12th century. The Catholic tradition credits the Virgin Mary with giving the Rosary to Saint Dominic in the 1200s.
- Other popular hymns like the Regina Coeli (“Queen of Heaven”) appeared in the 12th and 13th centuries.
By the medieval period, Mary had clearly become an object of widespread veneration. Praying the Rosary, the Angelus, antiphons, and other prayers that invoked her intercession were ingrained within popular devotion.
Marian Devotions Encouraged by Church Leaders
As Marian prayers multiplied during the Middle Ages, Church leaders actively encouraged Marian devotions:
- In 1198, Pope Innocent III instituted festivals celebrating Mary’s Immaculate Conception and Assumption into Heaven.
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) promoted devotion to Mary and composed homilies and hymns in her honor.
- St. Louis de Montfort (1673-1716) wrote extensively about the Rosary and prayers to Mary.
- Popes Leo XIII, Pius X, and John XXIII all issued encyclicals over the 19th and 20th centuries highlighting the Rosary and encouraging Marian devotions.
This further indicates praying to Mary had firm Church approval.
Vatican II on Mary
More recently, the Second Vatican Council produced a document about Mary in 1964 known as Lumen Gentium. It affirmed praying to Mary as part of Catholic tradition:
“This very special devotion differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the Incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit…It is Mary’s role to show him to men and women and to lead them to a closer following of Christ”
However, this document and Vatican II also emphasized Christ as the sole mediator between God and humanity. Prayers to Mary are not meant to detract from the centrality of Christ, but lead people closer to him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the historical origins of praying to Mary lie with early Christian appreciation of her virtues and role within salvation. By the 3rd century, prayers directly invoking Mary emerged, although wider development of Marian devotions occurred primarily in the Middle Ages. With active encouragement from popes and saints, praying to Mary became an ingrained part of Catholic spirituality and remains so today. However, Christ is still recognized as the single mediator between God and man.