How do you ask for a saints intercession

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People have told me many ways to ask for a saints help , but is there any specific church teaching on this , other people said there is a no wrong way to pray that all prayers are heard , I’m sorry if this a dumb question I’m new to the catholic faith . Thanks
 
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With Mary, the most Holy Mother of God. In the book, Glories of Mary, St. Alphonsus teaches that a prayer to any saint is vain if it doesn’t involve the consent of the Blessed Virgin Mary. That would be the answer to how efficient is the asking of the intercession of a saint.

“invite everyone to become a trusting child before Mary, even as the Son of God did. Saint Bernard says, and we say with him: ‘Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary … in danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart … If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination”’ (Benedict XVI, address at Heiligenkreuz Abbey, September 9, 2007)
 
If your prayer is sincere, there is no “wrong” way.

If you’re not sure what words to use, a simple “St. So-and-so, please pray for me” or “St. so-and-so, please help me with this” or “St. so-and-so, please intercede” is sufficient.
 
hymin said:
St. Alphonsus teaches that a prayer to any saint is vain if it doesn’t involve the consent of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Yes, but that doesn’t mean that you have to specifically ask Mary every single time you pray to a saint. Do you think Mary is going to withhold her consent from any sincere prayer to a saint by one of her children?
 
I agree. It should not be seen legalistically. It is possible to do good to Mary without intending it. This is possible with we gather to ourselves the mind of the Church: by divine inspirations, by preaching, and by books.
 
I just say, St Monica could you say a prayer for my friend _ who has drifted from church. My prayers aren’t usually very eloquent.
 
The most “official” way which is used liturgically is “sancte x, ora pro nobis.” In English “Saint x, pray for us.”

So we say:

Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker, pray for us
 
But Mary is not something extra, as other saints may be seen.
“The hymn continues: deliver us from all dangers. The Lord himself knows that we need refuge and shelter in the midst of so many dangers. This is why at the most critical moment on the cross, he said to his beloved disciple, to every disciple: “Behold, your Mother!” (Jn 19:27). The Mother is not an “extra”, something optional; she is Christ’s witness. And we need her as a traveller needs refreshment, as a small child needs to be carried in one’s arms. There is great danger for the faith if we live without our Mother, without her protection, allowing ourselves to be carried along by life like leaves by the wind. The Lord knows this, and recommends that we welcome his Mother. This is not a question of spiritual etiquette, but is needed for us to live. Loving her is not a poem; it is a question of being alive. For without a Mother we cannot be sons and daughters. And before all else, we are sons and daughters, beloved sons and daughters, who have God as Father and Our Lady as Mother.” (Homliy of Pope Francis, Basilica of Saint Mary Major: Sunday, 28 Jan 2018)
 
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