Ask saints?

[Kahlesson]

Hello everyone,

I have recently growed in my ‘connection’ with the saints. I first thought it was wrong to ask the saints, but after a lot of reading I accepted it. I know now that you can ask the saints to pray for you, but is it also allowed to ask a saint like Mary to help you overcome temptation, inspire you or help you with other things? I’m confused about what you can ask a saint, because only God can help you with other things, or not?. Can anyone explain?

My thanks,

 

[bilop]

Hello everyone,

I have recently growed in my ‘connection’ with the saints. I first thought it was wrong to ask the saints, but after a lot of reading I accepted it. I know now that you can ask the saints to pray for you, but is it also allowed to ask a saint like Mary to help you overcome temptation, inspire you or help you with other things? I’m confused about what you can ask a saint, because only God can help you with other things, or not?. Can anyone explain?

My thanks,

I any of these cases you are asking the Saint to intercede with God for you, through prayer.

Just like you pray for God’s help, they can pray for God’s help for you.

God Bless

 

[Mary_Ellen]

Hello everyone,

I have recently growed in my ‘connection’ with the saints. I first thought it was wrong to ask the saints, but after a lot of reading I accepted it. I know now that you can ask the saints to pray for you, but is it also allowed to ask a saint like Mary to help you overcome temptation, inspire you or help you with other things? I’m confused about what you can ask a saint, because only God can help you with other things, or not?. Can anyone explain?

My thanks,

I don’t believe the saints or Mary have any real power on their own, it is all the Power of God. They may intercede for us, and God uses Mary as a font through which He dispenses His favors or graces, but they cannot help us to overcome temptation or inspire us from heaven (though the writings of saints can be inspirational). They help us with these and other things through their intercession. Even though we may say, “St. Anthony, help me find my keys,” we are really asking for St. Anthony’s intercession. Though we may pray to Mary that we come closer to Jesus, her son, it is really the action of the Holy Spirit that does the work.

 

[tawny]

Hello everyone,

I have recently growed in my ‘connection’ with the saints. I first thought it was wrong to ask the saints, but after a lot of reading I accepted it. I know now that you can ask the saints to pray for you, but is it also allowed to ask a saint like Mary to help you overcome temptation, inspire you or help you with other things? I’m confused about what you can ask a saint, because only God can help you with other things, or not?. Can anyone explain?

My thanks,

As Catholics we are taught that the Communion of Saints is a powerful intercessor to God on our behalf. Prayers to the Saints is encouraged. God bless.

 

[ccmcmg]

Hello everyone,

I have recently growed in my ‘connection’ with the saints. I first thought it was wrong to ask the saints, but after a lot of reading I accepted it. I know now that you can ask the saints to pray for you, but is it also allowed to ask a saint like Mary to help you overcome temptation, inspire you or help you with other things? I’m confused about what you can ask a saint, because only God can help you with other things, or not?. Can anyone explain?

My thanks,

My priest has advised many times in Confession for me to turn to our mother Mary for her assistance. Mary is, I think, even closer to God than the saints, but we are welcome to turn to them as well.

It is comforting to think of Mary as my mother. I have my own wonderful mom, but since returning to the Faith a year ago, I’ve been especially drawn to Mary as a mother to me.

Mary and the saints can’t/won’t be ‘granting wishes’ like a genie in a bottle. Nor will God. I will often ask them to pray for me, or with me, when I need assistance. We can learn a lot by examining Mary’s life, and what we’ve learned since then, as well as the writings and lives of the saints. Sts. Augustine and Monica are among two that I’m glad to have learned about this year, and I know they also hear my prayers when I need them.

 

[ccmcmg]

I don’t believe the saints or Mary have any real power on their own, it is all the Power of God. They may intercede for us, and God uses Mary as a font through which He dispenses His favors or graces, but they cannot help us to overcome temptation or inspire us from heaven (though the writings of saints can be inspirational). They help us with these and other things through their intercession. Even though we may say, “St. Anthony, help me find my keys,” we are really asking for St. Anthony’s intercession. Though we may pray to Mary that we come closer to Jesus, her son, it is really the action of the Holy Spirit that does the work.

But, if when we pray to God through/with Mary and the saints, they say to Him, “God, Chris needs my help/support right now”, don’t you think we can receive special consolation or understanding? Yes, it’s all THROUGH God and BY God, but as Mary herself said, her soul magnifies the Lord.

 

[bcuster]

Jesus said that when 2 or more gather in His name in prayer, they will be heard. I can sit alone in my room and join with all the saints and angels in prayer and know my prayer is heard. Amen. Alleluia!

 

[blanc10]

You are basically asking the saints to pray for you. It’s almost like communicating with a messenger in heaven. You ask them to ask the Lord for something and they ask on your behalf. Since they are closer to God, they can be more effective at handing him the message while you’re going on with your business though the day. Saints do not have “powers” like God unless he grants them the power to do something on his behalf.

 

[HelenRose]

As a convert I felt that this was one of the most unusual of Catholic teachings but I just loved the idea.

As I often lose things, St Anthony helps me a lot. Now, if something is truly lost, like the time I left my Walkman in a hotel, St Anthony isn’t going to miraculously make my Walkman appear but it seems to me when I ask for help he gives me an extra push.

It is as if he says to me, “Oh for heaven’s sake Helen, get down on the floor and “really” look under the couch.” And it will be there.

Anyway, I think of the saints as my mentors and friends. This is one of the many reasons why I love this beautiful Catholic home of mine.

 

[crystal_waters]

Hello everyone,

I have recently growed in my ‘connection’ with the saints. I first thought it was wrong to ask the saints, but after a lot of reading I accepted it. I know now that you can ask the saints to pray for you, but is it also allowed to ask a saint like Mary to help you overcome temptation, inspire you or help you with other things? I’m confused about what you can ask a saint, because only God can help you with other things, or not?. Can anyone explain?

My thanks,

Yes its fine to do that…

Did you know that you can also pray for the souls i purgatory and ask them to obtain a prayer request from god for you too?..if you read the two links in my signature in this post then it will tell you more about that.

 

[HelenRose]

Hello everyone,

I have recently growed in my ‘connection’ with the saints. I first thought it was wrong to ask the saints, but after a lot of reading I accepted it. I know now that you can ask the saints to pray for you, but is it also allowed to ask a saint like Mary to help you overcome temptation, inspire you or help you with other things? I’m confused about what you can ask a saint, because only God can help you with other things, or not?. Can anyone explain?

My thanks,

I turn to Saints like I turn to close friends and ask them to pray for me.

I turn to Mary as a mother for love and support. She is a compassionate friend.

I feel the presence of saints as a large and loving family. So much help. So much support. I believe that God has given us the saints because He knows that we need to feel surrounded by those who love us.

As I am getting older and more and more forgetful, St Anthony has become very close to me. Dear St. Anthony help me find my car keys again. Help me find this. Help me find that.

Does that sound silly. Perhaps. Perhaps it is a superstition. But there it is. Help, comfort and more times than not, I will find what I am looking for.

I thank God for this assurance. This gentle belief in Saints. What a wonderful wonderful gift.