2006-06-05 12:04:00 · 5 answers · asked by Loved By Someone Above 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First of all, saints are NOT an obstacle between you and God. They are like friends you ask to pray for you. It certainly doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't pray to God. Now the reason you pray to a saint in general is because they're holy people who have reached the kingdom of God. Because of that, they are beloved of God and would be good intercessors for you. The concept of patron saints comes from the idea that some saints would be better intercessors on certain subjects. For instance, if someone is trying to have a baby, they might ask Saint Elizabeth (Mary's cousin) to pray for them. This is because Elizabeth was thought to be barren, but through God's grace conceived a child. If your pet is sick, you might ask St. Francis - who loved and aided all animals - to heal him (if saints have power it is because, like with the Apostles, God is with them and chooses to grant their request). Again, all of this is not to say that you can't or shouldn't pray to God directly, but the idea is that these people have gone through what you're going through. They understand and would have a special sympathy for you; their prayers and intercessions would be especially earnest and hearfelt.
2006-06-05 13:39:37 · answer #1 · answered by Caritas 6 · 7⤊ 3⤋
Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints. You, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa.
Catholics and many other Christians believe in the Communion of Saints where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.
As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends here on earth to pray for you. Or you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother in heaven to pray for you.
A patron saint is someone who is believed to have an affinity for something like St. Christopher as the patron saint of travelers.
When you travel you ask St. Christopher to pray for you (and there are no long distance phone charges from asking someone back home to pray for you, although that's okay too).
With love in Christ.
2006-06-06 00:46:44 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Catholics like to give praise to those who've helped bring along Christianity, and those who've lived by the word of the Lord and have done his work. I've been there done that. It's not for me. I attend a Church that only gives praise to Jesus and his Father (God) and not to the Saints and Mary along with Jesus and God. You have to find your stlye that works with you belief in Jesus and God and attend the right Church.
2006-06-05 19:39:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its part of the catholic tradition-every group has their own little holy saint-just one more obstacle between the people and Jesus.
2006-06-05 19:15:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's a tradition started by the church. Just something to make money with. How can any deceased person help you? Jesus said the dead are asleep in the grave. Contradictory is it?
2006-06-05 19:15:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋