Catholic Answers Live #12586 Can I Pray to My Family Members Who Have Died? Marian Dogmas - Jimmy Akin
Feb 13, 2026
Jimmy Akin, a senior apologist known for clear explanations of Catholic doctrine, tackles whether it is appropriate to ask deceased loved ones to pray and how that differs from forbidden practices. He also discusses the relative place of Marian dogmas within Church teaching and how later definitions develop from the apostolic faith.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Arrange Private Sacramental Instruction
- Contact the parish priest and request private instruction so an adult who is baptized can receive Eucharist and Confession promptly.
- Prioritize private preparation over waiting for classes when time or health is limited.
Praying To The Departed Is Permitted
- Asking a departed Christian to pray for you is not necromancy and is permitted immediately after death.
- Canonization only allows public liturgical use of a name, not private requests for someone's prayers.
Hierarchy Of Truths Explains Marian Dogmas
- The Second Vatican Council taught a hierarchy of truths: central doctrines (Trinity, Incarnation) sit above Marian teachings in importance.
- All defined dogmas are true, but Marian dogmas are lower in centrality though still part of the apostolic deposit.
