Any Catholics here? My mom is Catholic, and gave me a couple of her saint medals (St. Christopher and St. Anthony) after my apartment was robbed and all my jewelry was taken. I have worn them a couple of times, but wear them for looks mostly because I'm not Catholic and don't pray to saints. I'm Presbyterian, though lately when I go to church, I go with my mom (to a Catholic church). I'm trying to decide if Catholicism is right for me.
So is it ok to wear saint medals, or pray to the saints? I went to Catholic school and remember learning a prayer to St. Anthony, but forget how it goes. My mom says you don't need to say a specific prayer, and swears by her St. Anthony medal to find lost stuff. I wouldn't say I don't believe in saints; Catholicism is so different than what the Presbyterian Church teaches, that I'm still trying to sort out how I feel about the various beliefs. I like my medals, but don't want to do anything sac-religious. Is there a rule on this?
2007-06-21 14:34:23 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wearing a medal of a saint is okay as long as you do not worship the saint and, of course, Catholics do not worship 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, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.
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.
And prayer to the saints is optional not required.
With love in Christ.
2007-06-21 17:12:08 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was a Presbyterian before I converted to Catholicism. I don't see any reason, from a Biblical point of view, why you shouldn't wear those medals.
If you really want to find out about the Catholic faith there is a seminar called RCIA (Roman Catholic Initiation for Adults) which you can take. There is no obligation to become Catholic if you attend it. In fact, you can drop out of the class anytime.
Peace and every blessing!
2007-06-21 15:22:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Catholicism is not so very different from the Presbyterian church. They both believe in the necessity of Christ to atone for sins. They both believe that salvation is by faith in Christ. The issue with the saints is that of asking another person to pray for you. It is no different than asking your friend to pray for you, except that the saint is no longer inhabiting a physical body. If you believe the soul goes on, what is wrong with asking them to pray for you?
Catholics don't believe that a saint has any godlike power; only that they can pray to Jesus as a living human can.
2007-06-21 14:42:28 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure ,go ahead and wear a saint medal if you like for no Catholic would be offended
2007-06-22 14:27:56 · answer #4 · answered by James O 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you don't wear them as a form of mockery, I don't see why it should be a problem. (It's tacky to make fun of anyone's religion, with the possible exception of scientology.) For many, they're a symbol of faith, but I can't imagine them getting too bent-out-of-shape over someone wearing a medal with their image on it "just because you like it." Heck, it's still free advertising for them!
"Dear Saint Anthony, Please come around. My car keys are lost and can't be found..." Works every time !
2007-06-21 17:52:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Catholics view saints as God's helpers. I don't see anything wrong with it.
2007-06-21 14:52:00 · answer #6 · answered by Concept Styles 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do you like the medals? If you do, I wouldn't concern myself with the opinions of anyone here, I'd just wear them.
If you don't like them, don't wear them.
2007-06-21 14:39:16 · answer #7 · answered by Always Curious 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you're considering converting to catholicism, sure wear them - i think it's fine for anyone to wear as long as it's not in a disrespectful manner.
2007-06-21 14:40:55 · answer #8 · answered by Ashara 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Catholic Medallions
2016-11-07 05:52:33 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why you would wear them. They are medals honoring very good, but very dead men. They are not divine, nor can they hear or answer prayers. God doesn't want us to pray to anyone but Him. It makes sense too, because He is the only one who can hear.
2007-06-21 14:42:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋