Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints?

Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints?

Praying to saints is an integral practice that reflects a profound understanding of the Church's theology, history, and spirituality. For many outside the Catholic faith, this practice may seem unfamiliar or even puzzling. However, for Christians, the veneration of saints and the seeking of their intercession are deeply rooted in their understanding of the Communion of Saints, the nature of intercession, and the rich history of Christian devotion.

The Communion of Saints

At the heart of the Christian practice of praying to saints is the doctrine of the Communion of Saints. This belief underscores the spiritual unity of all members of the Church, whether they are still living on Earth, in purgatory, or in heaven. The Church is seen as one body with Christ as its head, and all its members are united. The word “Catholic” means “one” and was used to describe the early Christians, the followers of Christ. Therefore, the words Christian and Catholic describe the same group of people - those who follow Christ.

Christians believe that the faithful are part of the mystical body that transcends earthly life. This unity means that the saints, who have attained the fullness of eternal life and are in the presence of God, remain deeply connected with those still on their earthly pilgrimage. The Communion of Saints encompasses three groups: the Church militant (the faithful on Earth), the Church suffering (the souls in purgatory), and the Church triumphant (the saints in heaven). This interconnectedness implies that those in heaven are not distant or detached from the struggles and needs of the living but are actively engaged in supporting and interceding for them.

A selection of mugs available in our shop - perfect for your morning coffee!

The Role of Intercession

The practice of asking saints to intercede on one’s behalf is rooted in the proper understanding of intercession itself. Intercession is the act of praying to God on behalf of another person. Christians believe that the saints, having lived lives of exceptional virtue and now being in direct communion with God, have a special capacity to intercede effectively. This belief is based on the fact that saints, through their closeness to God, can present the faithful’s needs and prayers with a special efficacy.

St Paul teaches in his letter to Timothy...

“First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for all.” 1Timothy 2:1-6

St Paul asks for prayers and supplications to be offered for everyone - intercession for everyone. These prayers are addressed to Jesus Christ, our mediator between us and God. The more people you have praying for you, the better!

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:16

The concept of intercession is well established in Scripture and Tradition. For instance, in the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel intercedes for the people of Israel (1 Samuel 12:19), and in the New Testament, St. Paul asks the faithful to pray for him and others (Romans 15:30; Ephesians 6:18). The tradition of seeking the prayers of others, including the saints, follows this biblical precedent. Saints are viewed as holy friends of God who, through their righteous lives, have a privileged position to intercede for those in need.

In the Bible, we see how Moses had an extraordinary power of intercession with God. It was so great that God even asked Moses to allow Him to destroy the Israelites. Moses pleaded with Him not to destroy them, and God relented because of Moses intercession. (Exodus 32:9-14)

An example of how God grants certain things only through the intercession of holy men is in Exodus 17:11-13. God enabled Israel to have the victory as long as Moses held up his hands. However, if Moses let his hands down, Amalec would overcome the Israelites.

Have you ever asked another person to pray for you? That's what Catholics do when they ask a Catholic saint such as Saint Rita to pray for them. Saint Rita is known as the saint to implore for help in impossible cases. You can read more about her here.

Saint Rita, saint of impossible cases.

In the New Testament we often find Saint Paul asking others to pray for him.

Romans 15:30- “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.”

Paul also tells others that he is praying for them.

“… praying always for you…” Colossians 1:3-

We see in the Bible that deceased Saintly men appear to those living on earth. When Jesus was transfigured before three of his apostles, He appeared with Moses and Elias who had been dead for many years. In 1 Samuel 28 the prophet Samuel, who had been dead for some time appeared to King Saul, and rebuked him for his disobedience to God.

In Revelation chapter 6 we see dead saints asking God to act on earth.

Revelation 6:9-10- “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”

These people who were slain for the word of God, martyrs, are speaking to God in heaven about people currently living on earth.

Also notice that the souls of these dead martyrs cry out from underneath the altar. Since ancient times, the Catholic Church has placed the relics of martyrs underneath the altar.The fact that the voices of the martyrs come from under the altar – exactly where their relics are located in Catholic churches – is an interesting biblical confirmation of the Catholic practice.

The Book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of how the saints and their prayers intercede for men.

Revelation 8:3-4- “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.”

If the saints in heaven are offering our prayers to God, then they must be aware of our prayers.

We see another example in Revelation chapter 5.

Revelation 5:8- “… elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”

Recall what Jesus said to Martha in the context of raising the dead Lazarus to life:

Biblical and Historical Foundations

The practice of venerating saints and seeking their intercession has a strong biblical and historical foundation. The early Church was already familiar with the concept of honoring martyrs and seeking their intercession. Early Christian writings and Church Fathers, such as St. Augustine and St. Jerome, support the practice, demonstrating its deep roots in the early Christian community.

The veneration of saints became more formalized over time. By the fourth century, Christians were commemorating martyrs and seeking their intercession in times of need. This practice was further developed and articulated through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, leading to the rich traditions observed today.

Theological Distinctions

In Catholic theology, it is crucial to distinguish between the worship due to God alone and the veneration given to saints. Worship, known as latria, is reserved solely for God, while saints receive honor, or dulia. This distinction ensures that while saints are revered for their holiness and their role in the divine plan, worship remains directed exclusively toward God.

In addition to dulia, there is a special form of veneration called hyperdulia, which is reserved for the Blessed Virgin Mary. This reflects her unique role as the Mother of God and her exceptional place within the Communion of Saints. However, even this special veneration does not equate to worship but acknowledges her unique role in salvation history.

Saints as Exemplars and Intercessors

Saints are honored not only for their ability to intercede but also as exemplars of Christian virtue. Their lives serve as models for the faithful, demonstrating how to live according to God’s will. By studying the lives of saints, Catholics gain insight into how to navigate their own spiritual journeys and emulate the virtues exemplified by these holy figures.

Moreover, saints are often associated with specific causes or patronages. For example, St. Anthony is known as the patron saint of lost items, and St. Jude is invoked in desperate situations. This association helps the faithful to focus their prayers and seek assistance in particular areas of their lives where they feel a saint’s intercession might be especially effective.

Saint Philomena - one of many powerful saints. Read more about her story here.

Miracles

Throughout history thousands of miracles have been attributed to the Saints in heaven.

Saints possess the power to work miracles through their intercession, a privilege granted by their closeness to God. Saints, having achieved heavenly beatitude, are intimately united with God's divine will and grace. This special relationship allows them to intercede effectively on behalf of the faithful.

Miracles attributed to saints often involve extraordinary events that transcend natural laws, such as miraculous healings or sudden resolutions to desperate situations. These miracles are seen not as the saints performing acts of power on their own but as divine responses to their intercessions. The miracles serve to affirm the saints' sanctity and the power of God’s grace working through them.

The Church rigorously investigates such miracles to confirm their authenticity, ensuring that they align with divine purpose and are not merely coincidental. This process underscores that while saints are involved in these miraculous events, the true source of miraculous power remains God.

The power of saints to work miracles highlights their ongoing role in the life of the Church, demonstrating their active participation in God’s providence and the profound connection between the heavenly and earthly realms.

For a more in-depth read about why Catholics pray to saints, see this article here.

Saint Therese of Lisieux is a popular saint to have devotion to. You might like to learn about her here in this story.

This beautiful T-Shirt design features a quote from St Therese. See it in our shop now.