How do I explain and defend praying to saints?

[ggonzalez435]

I have a friend thats Christian and asked me why we, Catholics, pray to saints. When I told him that we beleived saints in heaven able to intercede with God for our personal prayers or intentions. He said that If we were going to do that why not go straight to Jesus instead of Saints who were picked to be Saints by humans, where Jesus was the way to God. How should I have answered?

 

[Devon_Caffran]

These links should be helpful for understanding the Communion of Saints. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please contact Catholic Answers directly.

Recommended reading:
The Intercession of the Saints (Fathers*)
Praying to the Saints
Saint Worship?
Do Catholics Worship Statues?