We believe in theCommunion of Saints
Why do we pray to saints? Shouldn’t we pray to God alone?◦ 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, St AnthonyPlease come around………… is lostAnd can’t be found
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.”
Prior Questions cont’d
As Christians, we are called to be like Jesus. ◦ Doesn’t mean that we should try to do everything
that Jesus did. ◦ Means we should try to be true to ourselves and
to our relationship with God just as Jesus was. ◦ We are called to follow Jesus’ example, loving
generously and using our gifts and talents to help others.
NOTES:
As Catholics, we all live together as a community. Death cannot destroy the bonds of Christian community and love. Those who have died are part of our community, but in a new way.
Communion of Saints: All of the faithful form one body in Christ. All of us, living or dead, are part of the body of Christ.◦ By believing in the communion of saints, we believe
we are all connected to each other in & through Christ.
NOTES:
Death: Our physical death is not just an end to earthly life. It is also the beginning of everlasting life, when we will become closer to God and to all those who are one with God.
God created human beings for eternal life. Jesus came to destroy death and make it possible for us to turn back to God and to share in the eternal life that God offers.
NOTES:
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
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
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.
Review
Saint are people who: have lived holy lives in obedience to God’s will see God’s great love for them and act the way God wants them
to, even when it’s hard. have made a difference in the world– not by doing remarkable
things, but by doing ordinary things remarkably well. have learned to hear God’s call in everyday life and are not
afraid to answer that call.
Saints are not born saints. Saints are not perfect, sinless or invulnerable.
While on one is perfect, some are on the road to sainthood
What are 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.)
Why do we ask for Saints to intercede for us?
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:
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
(often during prayer)◦ 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 will often bleed during mass or feast day, 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
◦ Ex: St Januarius Odor of Sanctity
◦ The body of the person has a sweet aroma like roses, instead of smelling like decay
◦ Ex: St Therese of Lisieux
Miracles after death
Chosen as protectors and guardians over life There are patron saints of occupations,
illnesses, churches, countries, specific causes Popes have names patron saints, but they can
be chosen by individuals/groups as well Often chosen because of an
interest/talent/event in the saints life that overlaps in a certain area
Can help us follow the example of their life Can also help us through intercession when we
pray to them
Patron Saints
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
Relics are the material remains of a deceased saint or martyr and objects closely associated with those remains
Can be entire skeletons, but usually are a part of the body (bone, piece of hairs, tooth)
Pieces of clothing worn by deceased saint Objects that has come in contact with a relic
Relics
First Class Relics – item is directlyassociated with the events of Christ’s life or the physical remains of a saint
Second Class Relics- item that the saint wore, owned or used often
Third Class Relics – object that is touched by a First Class Relic
Classification of Relics
We are successful when we develop & share the
gifts and talents that God has given for the benefit of
all people.
We are called to follow Jesus’ example of loving
generously and unselfishly