Dear Dan,

I'm glad that in question 1 you avoided the word worship and used veneration instead. Catholics do not worship images, statues, relics or holy places as worship is  for God alone. Catholic theologians use the Greek word Latria to describe worship that is for God alone in contrast with Dulia which is the veneration of the saints and holy relics etc. (hyperdulia is for Mary, the greatest of the saints).

The word veneration simply means to profoundly respect or reverence. The use of images and icons help us to remember the saints and their lives, and in turn Christ. These aids can be compared to family photo albums; we keep pictures of relatives and friends who may be far away or have passed away to remember them. In the same way Catholics have pictures of the saints, Mary, the crucifix etc. to remember God and the way God's love has been manifested in the world. From my collection of data, the crucifix as a symbol of Christ was used as early as the 2nd century (Clement of Alexandria). Similarly, around 200 Tertullian describes Christians as 'worshippers of the cross'. We are not venerating the images of saints as strictly images though; rather it is what the image represents that is important. The veneration of the cross at Good Friday mass helps us to remember Christ's passion, death, and love for us. We are not venerating the wood or similar material the cross is made of, but rather Christ. The cross helps us remember Christ.

In the words of Matt Maher's song Remembrance:

"Lord we remember you, and remembrance leads us to worship"

This is directly tied into your second question. The First Commandment prohibition that you mentioned is regarding the worship of of graven images. Again, we need to remember the difference between profound respect (veneration) and worship. We are NOT to worship (latria) graven images, nor idols, and thus this is still binding on Christians because worship is for God alone.

God bless,

Mr. Mathew