MARY

Broader theological connection

Revelation 8:3–4

Prayer before the throne

3 And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer: and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar which is before the throne of God.

4 And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.

Douay–Rheims · Challoner revision · Apocalypse 8:3–4

Why this matters

An angel presents incense with the prayers of the saints before God. The text supplies imagery for prayer in heaven; it is not a direct description of Marian intercession.

Text & interpretation sources

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English Scripture: Douay–Rheims, Challoner revision. Source edition.

Lourdes sculpture by TheFatTas, CC BY 4.0; optimized and adapted with animated sections and Scripture inscriptions. The image is a render of this modified sculpture.

A Catholic reading of Scripture. The placement of inscriptions is symbolic; direct statements, typology and theological context are distinguished.