Can we ask deceased brothers/sisters in Christ to pray for us?

[jusbear48]

Question -

Is it morally permissable in the eyes of the Catholic Church to ask those Christian brothers and sisters in Christ who have died to intercede for us before the church cannonizes them as a saint? For instance, if I ask my great grandmother who has passed on, to intercede for me…
(a) Is that a sin if she is actually not a Saint regardless of what I think?
(b) Will her prayers be heard by God?

Thanks!

 

[Peggy_Frye]

The Church urges us to pray for all who die in God’s grace and friendship (CCC 1039), to offer prayers, “above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.”

You can ask your great grandmother to pray for you (privately not publicly), but where her soul went after death is known only to God. It’s only when the Church formally declares someone a saint that we can know with certainty that the person is in heaven.

Does God hear the prayers of the deceased? God hears all prayers and will apply them, with immeasurable goodness, to those he chooses. Keep praying for souls. God bless you!