For anyone Catholic!?

Question

Do you believe praying to saints for certain causes actually works? just asking because my mom always does and says she has a tremendous faith that it does work? anyone else?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Yes, I believe so. The saints are holy people who have reached the kingdom of God. Because of that, they are beloved of God and would be good intercessors for us. 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). 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. God doesn't always grant what we ask, but I think it helps to have the saints' prayers.

Answer 2

I'm a "lapsed" Catholic, and all I can say is that it seems to have worked for centuries of Catholics before now. The whole idea of intercession has a long history. A Catholic prays "to" a saint not so much because they think the saint himself can make a change, but because the saint will then take the matter up with God (since, being super-holy, the saint is supposed to be closer to God than we mortals). As long as your mother has faith, why not support it? People can as easily question whether praying to God actually works. It's a personal decision.

Answer 3

As a Catholic, I have never been a big fan of putting faith in intercession. When you pray you should be praying to G*d, not to someone who is dead (regardless of how holy they were in life) because it is G*d who will be granting your prayer, not that saint.

That being said, the saints were wonderful people and much can be learned from their lives.

Answer 4

+ Communion of Saints +

Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.

The Communion of Saints is the belief 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 living here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother living in heaven to pray for you.

Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.

+ Patron Saints +

Some saints are recognized as patron saints of certain peoples, places, things, and occupations due to circumstances surrounding their lives.

For example:

People: Saint Peter was a fisherman before he became a fisher of men and is the patron saint of fishermen (and popes).

Place: Saint Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland and is the patron saint of Ireland.

Things: Saint Claire was near death and was unable to attend Mass, she turned in the direction of the Chapel. The wall between her and Chapel vanished and she was able to both view the Mass and participate. For this reason, she is the patroness of TV.

Occupation: Saint Matthew the Apostle was a tax collector and is the patron of accountants, bankers, bookkeepers, and, yes, tax collectors .

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 5

The bible says that when you recieve Christ you become a saint. You don't have to wait for the pope to make you one. It is only another RCC tradition that has tried to usurp the truth.