Is salvation dependent on a personal relationship with Christ?

[gracepoole]

Can one have a personal relationship with the saints and the Blessed Mother (and Christ through them) but not have a personal relationship with Christ directly and still receive salvation? My grandparents, for example, would’ve considered the notion of this kind of relationship wholly Protestant. Can an apologist provide a definitive answer?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

Would you go to a banquet and then remain in the lobby to enjoy the meal by merely talking to those on their way out who actually ate it?

Jesus is God. He also suffered great torture and died on our behalf. By this fact, we already have a relationship with Him—that He initiated. Why would any believer want to not have a relationship with Him? It makes absolutely no sense. It’s like telling Him, “I want salvation from you, but I don’t want you.” All things being equal, acknowledging Jesus as our Savior, IS necessary for salvation. I trust that this definitive enough.

Those who, through no fault of their own, have not known Jesus as their savior, can–if they live a life of virtue, be saved.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.