Catholics have always distinguished emphatically between the cultus
duliae, which translates as “the homage of veneration,” and the cultus
latriae, which signifies “the worship of adoration.”
Veneration is paid to the Saints. A higher form of it, called hyperdulia, is
given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by virtue of her singular privilege as
Mother of God; but adoration is given to God alone. Any attempt to give
adoration to a creature would certainly be false worship––but the Catholic
Church has never given it. She adores God and God alone.
It is noteworthy that while Christ was dying on the Cross He cried out “Eli,
Eli, lema sabachthani?” (St. Matt. 27:46). Due to the distance, the Chief
Priests and Scribes failed to discern that Christ was in fact quoting the first
verse of Psalm 21, thinking instead that He was calling upon the Prophet
Elijah. Their response was not to condemn Christ for idolatry, but rather to
declare, “let us see whether Elijah will come to save him” (v. 49). The
belief in the intercessory power of Elijah is still held by the Jews today, as
Elijah is said to be invisibly present at all Brit Millah, or circumcision
ceremonies.
Second objection: “If the Catholic Church adores only God then why
do Catholics speak of praying to the saints?”
In traditional English usage, the word “pray” simply meant to “ask.” It was
common for people to speak to each other in the following terms: “I pray
thee, do tell;” or, “I pray thee, do grant me my request.” In Shakespeare,
the word “prithee” is often found—a contraction of “I pray thee.” In the
King James Version of the Bible, Bathsheba makes a request of King
Solomon and says, “I pray thee, say me not nay” (1 Kgs. 2:20). We still
find “pray” being used in such a way in various courtrooms to this day.
However, with the Protestantization of the English-speaking world, the
word “pray” lost its broader meaning and was restricted to God alone. This
was in conformity with Protestant theology which refuses to make any
distinction within the concept of worship between adoration and
veneration.
Despite the persecution of Catholics in England, they never abandoned the
older usage of the word “pray.” When Catholics today speak of “praying to
the saints” they simply mean asking them to intercede on their behalf.
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