do catholics venerate saints only because other older catholics told them to do so ,or because theywanted to?

Answer 1

most because they wanted to..some people do what their family members do. Me, I just want all the protection and prayers that I can get!

Answer 2

I am Greek Orthodox and we also venerate the saints and have a devotion to the Virgin Mary. This is part of the roots of Christianity the saints are their as intercessors for us and many miracles have been performed through them. The only one we worship is Jesus. Out church and the Catholic are very old they are the roots of Christianity. I feel sorry for these new brand of Christians who have done away will all the saints and alot ot the sacraments. We are so lucky to have these beautiful people as examples on how to live a good pure life!

Answer 3

We venerate saints because they are in heaven with God and they pray for us. There is proof that the saints are in heaven because there have been countless miracles done by them that science can't explain. You can't become a saint without a miracle. saints can do miracles only through Jesus because they are in heaven.
You have post many questions and are clearly anti-Catholic, even though the Catholic Church is the original Church of Christ, has been around for 2,000 years and will continue to exist until the end of the world.

Answer 4

This is how this originated: When the Catholic/Christian invaders/conquerors took over an area, they imposed their religion on the people & the people, mostly pagan & poly-theistic, combined their ancient religious practices with the new "Christian" religion being imposed upon them. Examples of this include the ancient Celtic Goddess Bride becomming St. Bridgit of Ireland, or how vodoo practitioners combined ancient African & Caribbean gods/goddesses with saints.

So, it goes back farther than Catholicism & "older Catholics". The practice of venerating the saints is the result of an assimilation of beliefs between the Christians & indigenous religions.

Answer 5

The Orthodox venerate saints too.

Answer 6

The Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Episcopal Churches 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.

Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints. You, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa.

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.

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Catholics are raised with the concept that you need saints to talk to God for you, get God on your good side. Saints help with this. That is why you get a saint name for ever sacrament. (And the saints you are named after are supposed to especially help you!)

Answer 8

Catholics venerate saints because said practice has biblical origins:

Veneration / Honor of the Saints
Matt. 18:10 - the angels in heaven always behold the face of God. We venerate them for their great dignity and union with God.

Matt. 15:4; Luke 18:20; Eph. 6:2-3 Exodus 20:12; Lev. 19:3; Deut. 5:16 - we are instructed to honor our father and mother.

Luke 1:28 - the angel Gabriel venerates Mary by declaring to her "Hail, full of grace." The heavenly angel honors the human Mary, for her perfection of grace exceeds that of the angels.

Romans 13:7 - we are to give honor where honor is due. When we honor God's children, we honor God Himself, for He is the source of all honor.

1 Cor. 4:16 - the most important form of veneration of the saints is "imitating" the saints, as Paul commands us to do.

1 Cor. 11:1 - again, Paul says, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." The ultimate objective of veneration is imitation.

Phil. 2:25-29 - Paul teaches us to honor Epaprhoditus who almost died for the faith. How much more honor is owed to the saints that did die for the faith!

Phil. 3:17 - Paul says to imitate him and others, which is the goal of veneration. Veneration is not worship.

1 Thess. 1:6 – Paul says to the Thessalonians, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord.” This is the goal of veneration.

2 Thess. 3:7 - Paul says that the Thessalonians should imitate him and the other bishops.

Hebrews 3:3 - Jesus is worthy of "more" glory and honor than Moses. This does not mean that the saints are worthy of no glory and honor. Instead, it proves that saintly people are worthy of glory and honor out of God's goodness.

Heb. 6:12 – the author teaches us to be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Heb. 13:7 - we must imitate the faith of our faithful leaders. We ask for their intercession and venerate them for their holiness.

James 5:10-11 – James teaches us to take heart in the examples of the prophets and Job, who endured suffering.

1 Peter 2:17 - Peter teaches us to honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the emperor. Don't those living with Christ in heaven deserve honor? Catholics believe they do, and honor them with special feast days, just as we honor those living by celebrating their birthdays.

Gen. 19:1 - Lot venerates the two angels in Sodom, bowing himself with his face to the ground.

Gen. 42:6 - Joseph's brothers bow before Joseph with the face to the ground. This is veneration, not worship.

Exodus 28:2 - it is especially important to honor religious leaders. Sacred garments for Aaron give him dignity and honor.

Lev. 19:32- we should also honor "the face of an old man." When the elderly die in Christ, we should continue honoring them, because death does not separate them from us or the love of Christ.

1 Sam. 28:14 - Saul bows down before Samuel with his face to the ground in veneration.

2 Chron. 32:33 - Hezekiah was honored at his death. We honor our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Sir. 44:1-2 - we should praise and give honor to those who the Lord apportioned great glory. It is our family in Christ.

Answer 9

It is a christian practice. It is done within the catholic church, the Orthodox Church, even within the protestant church ,the Anglican church and the Lutheran Church used to.

Answer 10

That is what is taught to them in Catechism books...