Post on 25-Dec-2015
Why do we pray to saints? Shouldn’t we pray to God alone? (write down)◦ There’s a difference between worship and prayer◦ Catholics do not worship saints. ◦ We ask saints to pray for us ◦ Not praying to a saint
Prior Questions
No. These people may have died on Earth, but they are alive in Heaven.◦ Jesus: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob … not the God of the dead but of the living. (Matthew 22: 29) (St. Luke's Gospel 20:38 adds "for to him all are
alive" or "for all live unto him")◦ “I am the resurrection and the life. He who
believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:24)
Are we praying to dead people?
So I’m praying that St. Anthony will help me find my missing iPod …◦ St. Anthony acts as an advocate. He takes the prayers
to God “in person”◦ He can go to the very throne of God
St. Anthony (Patron saint of lost things)
But why not pray to Jesus directly????◦ Every day, we’ve prayed for the sick/suffering, people who are
travelling, and “for each other”, “to have a good day”◦ Praying for others is what Christians do!◦ Strengthens the community◦ These other people could pray directly to Jesus, but we pray for
them also◦ Kind of like signing a petition (cafeteria example)
Although we (humans) are all equal in the eyes of God, those in direct union with Him (in heaven) have more influence◦ JER 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel were to
stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people.”◦ Moses and Samuel were two of the most influential figures in the Bible.
What God is seeming to say is that they have more influence.
Prior Questions cont’d
“Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners”◦ We ask Mary to pray for us. Mary is Jesus’ mother
and has a lot of clout!
Hail Mary, full of grace
We are called to be like Jesus◦ Can’t do everything he did, but we
should try to be true to ourselves and to our relationship with God
Communion of Saints: All the faithful (living or dead) are connected. We are all part of the body of Christ◦ Even people who have died are
still connected to us. ◦ People who have died still have
influence over Earthly affairs!!! ◦ Stadium example
Review
An end to Earthly life, but the beginning of everlasting life
We become closer to God and to all those who are with God
Death does not separate our community. ◦ Someone who has died is now closer to God (and
has everlasting life). They are still able to influence what happens on Earth.
Death
Human beings who have lived holy lives in obedience to God’s will
Saints are not born saints. They are not perfect or sinless. They come from ordinary families.
While no one is perfect, some are on the road to sainthood
Saints
An intercession is asking members of the communion of saints in Heaven to pray to God on your behalf (or on the behalf of others)
We do this every morning! (St Peter etc.)
Intercession
1. Servant of God ◦ When the case is opened for consideration
2. Venerable◦ The Vatican counsel determines that you led a life of heroic
virtue ◦ You worked aggressively to improve your spirituality. You
never gave up trying to better yourself and grow in holiness.
3. Beatification◦ After the church establishes one miracle, it is presented to
the Pope to see if the person is worthy of being called a saint
◦ Once a person is beatified, they’re known as “Blessed” 4. Canonization
◦ Another miracle, and the cause is presented for judgment
How to become a saint (finally)
Miracles that occur either before or after death are necessary in becoming a saint
God acts through saints to perform miracles around them
Saints are role models of the faith. ◦ Worthy of being imitated◦ If God grants them the ability to perform miracles,
then even He is saying “take notice of these people!”◦ 1 Cor 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”
(Paul)
Miracles
Levitation◦ The person levitates into the air◦ Ex: St. Francis Xavier
Bilocation◦ The person appears in two places
(far apart) at once◦ Ex: Padre Pio
Stigmata◦ The person’s body has the five
wounds of Christ. These wounds often bleed during mass, then stop
◦ Ex: St. Francis of Assisi
Miracles during life
Incorruptibility◦ Long after death, the person’s
body is found free of decay when exhumed from the grave
◦ Ex: St. Bernadette of Soubirous Liquefaction
◦ The dried blood of the person liquefies on the feast day
Odor of Sanctity◦ The body of the person has a
sweet aroma like roses, instead of smelling like decay
Miracles during death
Chosen as protectors and guardians over life
There are patron saints of occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, specific causes
Often, an interest/talent/event in the saints life overlaps in a certain area
Ex: Saint Francis of Assisi loved nature, and is therefore the patron saint of ecologists
Ex: Saint Francis de Sales was a writer, and is the patron saint of journalists
Patron Saints
Relics, are material remains of a deceased saint or martyr, or objects closely associated with those remains
Can be entire skeletons, but more commonly:◦ A bone, piece of hair, or tooth◦ Pieces of clothing◦ Other objects that have come in contact with a
relic
Relics
First class relic◦ Items directly associated with the events of
Christ’s life OR physical remains or a saint Manger, cross, bone, piece of hair, limb, etc
Second class relic◦ An item the saint wore, owned or used often
Sock, shirt, glove, crucifix, a book, etc Third class relic
◦ Any object that is touched by a first class relic 1st class ex: Saint Anthony’s tongue
Relics