Baptism/Praying to Mary

Q Is baptism necessary for salvation?

A Let’s see what Jesus says.  In the Gospel of St. John, he tells the pharisee Nicodemus, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (Jn 3:5).  Baptism is the means by which we are “born of water and Spirit.”  Jesus affirms the importance of baptism.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “The Lord himself affirms that baptism is necessary for salvation.  He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them.   Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.  The church does not know of any means other than baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude (heaven); this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit”  (CCC1257). 

However, there are two other types of baptism: baptism of blood and baptism of desire.  Those who die for the sake of the faith without having received the sacrament of baptism are deemed to have been baptized by their blood.  An example of this would be the “good thief” who sought Jesus’ mercy as he was crucified next to Jesus on that first Good Friday.  Additionally, those converts to the Catholic faith who die before their baptism may be baptized by their “desire for baptism” (CCC1258 and 1259).

So, what about aborted children, miscarried children and children who die before baptism?  We must depend on the mercy of God to take care of them.  Even though they had no chance to seek the sacrament, it still seems reasonable that these children would go to heaven.  Again, the Catechism states “God has bound salvation to the sacrament of baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments” (CCC 1257).

Q Should we pray to Mary?  Isn’t prayer an act of worship which is due only to God?

A Worship and prayer are two different things.  “Worship” is adoration and honor given to God.  To adore God is to acknowledge him as God.  The English word “pray” is derived from the Latin word “precare,” which means “to ask/implore/entreat.”  That is what we are actually doing when we pray to Mary; we are asking her for help, asking her to be our prayer partner.  And what better person to ask for help?  Mary can go to Jesus with our prayers.  Can Jesus turn down his mother?

You might ask, “How can Mary hear all of our prayers?”  We speak different languages.  Thousands of people may be praying to Mary and asking for her help at the same time.  Since only God is omnipotent (having unlimited power – able to do anything) you might think that Mary cannot hear and understand all of our prayers.  We must remember, however, that God can do anything.  Certainly, he can grant the power to Mary (and all others in heaven) the ability to hear and understand all prayers sent their way.  Also, heaven is not on earth time.  In his Second Letter, St. Peter states “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day” (2 Peter 3:8).  All things are possible with God.

So, pray to Mary!  Pray the rosary!  Pray the “Hail Mary!”  Or just say “Mary, I need your help!”  She is listening.     

Deacon Hooper is a deacon assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs. He can be reached at [email protected].