The first commandment forbids the making of graven images "TO ADORE THEM." This is found in the Book of Exodus, where we read:

"Thou shalt not have strange gods before me. Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them."

That it was NOT the intention of God to forbid the use of images is evident from the fact that the same inspired writer, in Exodus 25, commands the Jews to make two golden cherubims for the ark of the covenant in the temple. Likewise, in the Book of Numbers, God commanded Moses to make a brazen serpent, so that the Jews might look upon it and be saved from the attack of the fiery serpent.

Therefore, images are forbidden ONLY it we attribute to them a power that belongs to God alone, or if we worship them as gods.

"Thou shalt make also two cherubims of beaten gold, on the two sides of the oracle." Ex. 25:18.

"And the Lord said to him: Make a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign; whosoever being struck shall look on it, shall live." Num. 21:8

We use pictures and images:

(a)	To remind us of the virtues of the particular saint, or of the Blessed Mother;
(b)	To remind us that we should imitate their virtues;
(c)	To help us concentrate on our prayers;
(d)	To honor that particular saint, or the Blessed Mother, who are God's heroes.