Are Roman Catholics allowed to pray to saints im confused about it?

[Asiacamie]

Are Roman Catholics allowed to pray to saints and is it allowed to wear jewelry with saints on them because I want to get a necklace of St.Dymphna because I’ve been struggling with ocd and intrusive thoughts and I think it will help me keep motivated

 

[G2024]

Nothing is wrong about honoring someone for their service to Christ, and to follow their example. Having a necklace of a saint can help you try to emulate them and grow closer to God.

As for praying to saints, well, that’s the only way to reach them. They are one with God in Heaven and by asking them to pray with us, we are strengthening our own prayers.

As long as you don’t see the saints as above God and don’t rely on them for your salvation, you’ll be good.

 

[Reuben_J]

Yes. You are allowed to pray to the saints. And yes, you can wear ornaments that bear their symbol or pictures.

 

[LostSheep7]

Yes, you will benefit from asking the intercession of the faithful servants of Christ who are already in Heaven.
It’s also ok to have pictures of the saints you like, I’ve a picture of Saint Augustine in my room

 

[berniemcken]

I ‘pray’ to them daily. That is, I ask their intercessory prayers and for their help in that they are alive in Christ in heaven. God has used people throughout salvation history to achieve His will. In fact, that’s the mode he prefers.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

It’s important to note that when a Catholic “prays to a saint” they are actually directing their prayer to God and asking the saint to help them by also praying to God for their intention. This is called “intercessory prayer” or asking the saint for their “intercession” or their “help”.

It’s like if you were praying to God and you asked your best friend to also please say a prayer for you; except in this case you are asking the saint, rather than your best friend, to please say a prayer for you.

So when I say I “prayed to St. Anthony” to help me find my lost keys, I am actually praying to God/ Jesus to find the lost keys and asking St. Anthony to pray along with me to God/ Jesus. This is permitted for Catholics.

Wearing a saint medal is also permitted for Catholics, as long as you realize it is just a reminder of the saint, or a reminder for you to say a prayer to the saint. It is not a lucky charm or something superstitious. If you don’t happen to wear the medal on a particular day, you can still pray to the saint just the same and get all the same help from the saint.

 

[JanetF]

It’s important to note that when a Catholic “prays to a saint” they are actually directing their prayer to God and asking the saint to help them by also praying to God for their intention. This is called “intercessory prayer” or asking the saint for their “intercession” or their “help”.

It’s like if you were praying to God and you asked your best friend to also please say a prayer for you; except in this case you are asking the saint, rather than your best friend, to please say a prayer for you.

So when I say I “prayed to St. Anthony” to help me find my lost keys, I am actually praying to God/ Jesus to find the lost keys and asking St. Anthony to pray along with me to God/ Jesus. This is permitted for Catholics.

Wearing a saint medal is also permitted for Catholics, as long as you realize it is just a reminder of the saint, or a reminder for you to say a prayer to the saint. It is not a lucky charm or something superstitious. If you don’t happen to wear the medal on a particular day, you can still pray to the saint just the same and get all the same help from the saint.

Perfect answer, you beat me too it.

 

[pensmama87]

One thing that helps with the whole “praying to saints” thing is to remember that “pray” used to just mean “ask,” as in, “Pray tell me [something or other].” Its restriction to matters religious is pretty recent.