Why do some Catholics believe in praying to saints before Jesus?

Question

I recently went to a mass where my friend had her baby baptized. Just wondering why they pray to saints so they can pray to God on our behalf when That's the role of Jesus. John 14: 6

Answer 1

I have done some research on this.

People often go to people that they consider very spiritual to pray for them. It is easy to think that a very spiritual person has a better connection with God Somewhere in the early catholic church, people took this thought one step farther and continued to ask these people to pray for them, as they were not only spiritual people, but has had a closer connection to God. Most times people aren't really praying to saints, but are asking saints to pray for them.

Knowing that I can pray directly to God, without having to go through someone else. I prefer that route. I think god still hears the prayers of people who "pray to saints," but I think it is sad that so many people miss out on the personal relationship we have with God through prayer.

Answer 2

For the same reason that so many Jews pray to God without giving a second thought to Jesus. Are you so sure that your particular faith is the exact right one? If you are, you must realize that according to your faith, that Catholic friend of yours is someone you should not be mixing with without first praying for her soul ((2 Corinthians 4:4), her salvation (John 3:16), asking your god how you can help her (James 1:5), and really you should have stopped the baptism and made your friend aware of the wrong path she was taking (Romans 10:9-10).

Of course, you were only obliged to do these things if you actually believe your own religion.

Answer 3

Catholics don't pray to saints BEFORE Jesus, nor do they pray to Mary BEFORE Jesus - that is a sad misconception. Think of it this way: have you ever asked a friend or family member to pray for you in your hour of need or during a special time? If you are a Christian the answer is most likely yes. Why would you ask someone on earth to pray for you when "that's the role of Jesus?" My point is, we are pretty sure that Mary and the saints are in Heaven, judging by the lives they lived. Do you think they pray in Heaven? Of course! Who then is better to ask to pray for you? I welcome the chance to have the saints and the mother of Jesus on my side!

Edit: Furthermore, Catholics do not NEED saints or Mary to intercede for them, as stated above...I go straight to Jesus all the time, just like all other true Catholics I know. Also, as stated above, I ask questions all the time, and get Biblical back-up for my answers.

Answer 4

This is one of the fundamental differences between the Catholic Church and Protestantism.

Catholics believe that intercessors...that is, go-betweens...are necessary to approach God. The Saints fulfill that role, as does the Priest; they pray on the faithfuls' behalf.

Protestants believe that no such intervention is needed, and that any man may pray directly to God.

Answer 5

As Catholics, we believe that we have a family in heaven just like we have here on earth. All those who have passed on before us are alive and well, and blissfully happy in heaven - our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends, and everyone and anyone you can possibly think of. They have all gone to their reward, living in unimaginable peace and happiness and joy in the presence of God. The saints, too, are there with them.

Sainthood is a gift, I guess you'd call it, that the Church blesses certain individuals with who have lived a life of faith and love to a heroic degree. We look to them as rolemodels, the same way we look to certain people here as rolemodels, be it a family member, a friend, or whoever else someone would look up to as a rolemodel. When we pray to a saint, we are praying for intercession. Intercession is simply asking someone to pray for you, the same way you would ask a family member or a friend to pray for you. For example, if someone dear to you was in the hospital, you might ask others to send prayers to heaven for you on their behalf, so that they could heal and be restored to health. A prayer to the saints is no different. We are simply praying to our family members in heaven to ask God to heal our loved ones, and bring them back to health.

The saints in no way whatsoever take the place of Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Savior, the most precious of all to us. Nor do we worship the saints. Ever. All worship, all glory and honor go to God. I, myself, find great comfort in knowing that I have a family in heaven so huge that they number more than the stars in the sky, and that I can call on them for help anytime. They are always with me, and they love me dearly. I pray this helps you in your question. Anything else you'd like to know, if I can help, just ask.

God bless,

Danny

Answer 6

After his death as a “corresponding ransom,” Jesus was resurrected from the dead and was rewarded with immortal life in heaven with Jehovah God. He has continued to serve as the one mediator (intercessor) -- the only one who has authority to intercede between God and men. So all prayers should be offered in the name of Christ Jesus, through whom we have the privilege of prayer.

1 Timothy 2:5, 6: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all.”

Answer 7

Catholics do not pray to saints before Jesus. They pray to the saints to ask their intersession.

In lay terms.....If you want your dad to do something for you, you get your mom on your side, to help you convince your dad.

Answer 8

roman catholics believe that every soul in heaven(the church triumphant) is able to offer spiritual succour to every soul still on earth (the church militant).

salvation comes through jesus alone (as part of the trinity) and we worship only him.

but we can turn to any blessed soul for spiritual comfort (as indeed we can turn to a priest, a bishop, or even any especially devout ordinary person).

catholics worship only god. but we admire, respect, and honour any truly devout person as a scion of god's handiwork.

when we 'pray' to st. agnes of the czechs, st. vincent de paul, or even to gk chesteron, we are turning to fellow strugglers who have been victorious in their battle for the lessons and insight they can grant us.

trusting in 'the saints' (who after all are only 'people who are already in heaven') is only the same as trusting in holy people who are still alive.

to think that a holy person is no longer worth veneration simply because they have died seems to me an imbecile position.

Answer 9

That is the main thing that I have a disagreement on. They think that the saints can interceed on certain things for themselves. You are right that Jesus is the one and true intercessor for all things.

Answer 10

Because the Catholic church does not follow the Word of God.

Jesus is the head of His church, NOT the pope.

Follow God and Jesus, not man.