Need Help Explaining Prayers to Saints

[Gregorian12]

When I was talking to my sister about my decision to become Catholic, she asked me about praying to saints. I explained the teaching to her and gave her Scripture references. She seemed to take it fairly well but she had an objection. She said a saint hearing our problems would make them sad, and there is no sorrow in Heaven. I didn’t quite know how to answer her. Any suggestions? Also, she asked me if, since we pray to the canonized saints, can we pray to departed relatives and friends as well?

 

[Cat_Herder]

When I was talking to my sister about my decision to become Catholic, she asked me about praying to saints. I explained the teaching to her and gave her Scripture references. She seemed to take it fairly well but she had an objection. She said a saint hearing our problems would make them sad, and there is no sorrow in Heaven. I didn’t quite know how to answer her. Any suggestions? Also, she asked me if, since we pray to the canonized saints, can we pray to departed relatives and friends as well?

Here is a general overview.

Revelation depicts the martyrs in heaven as longing for their blood to be avenged on earth. They are clearly aware of the injustice here on earth.

 

[MarcoPolo]

If there is no sorrow in heaven, then our prayers to them wouldn’t make then sad, would they. She seems to apply the emotions of man’s fallen nature to the glorified state of heavenly souls, applying the biology of man’s decaying body to that of the glorified soul in God’s presence.

Here’s a graphic depiction of praying to saints, btw.

 

[tbcrawford]

When we pray to Our Blessed Lady and the saints we are asking for ‘their’ intercession…their help to pray for us and our intentions.
When our loved ones die we pray for them to have eternal life. We pray for the souls in purgatory.

We do not pray to Our Blessed Lady or any of the saints to worship them,we ask for their help.It is known that Our Lady’s prayers are heard before all others.When we ask saints for their help we ask for their intercession because we have hope that their prayers are heard above ours.

I hope this helps a little bit.

God bless

 

[Todd_Easton]

Also, she asked me if, since we pray to the canonized saints, can we pray to departed relatives and friends as well?

Yes. Typically, saints are canonized only after people’s prayers to them have been answered.

 

[PeterJohn]

First argue the difference between prayer and worship. Second affirm their love for family members. Next I ask if they ever asked anyone to pray for them. Now I link the 3 by saying Prayer to the saints who are our brothers and sisters in Christ still alive in his eternal life, is not worship, but asking for prayers from family who have special understandings of certain situations.