Pray to the Cross

[mattheus09]

I read in a tradtional Catholic forum that St. Thomas said that we should pray to the cross. I found this startling in a traditional Catholic forum. What did Saint Thomas mean by this? Here is the quote the Original poster gave

Wherefore in each way it is worshiped with the same adoration as Christ, viz. the adoration of “latria.” And for this reason also we speak to the cross and pray to it, as to the Crucified Himself. But if we speak of the effigy of Christ’s cross in any other material whatever–for instance, in stone or wood, silver or gold–thus we venerate the cross merely as Christ’s image, which we worship with the adoration of “latria,” as stated above

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[yinekka]

Did the site give the source of this comment supposedly from St Thomas? It is not possible to speak on this until we read the comment in context.

I have never heard that we give the cross *worshiped with the same adoration as Christ, viz. the adoration of “latria.” * I do know that Good Friday is the only day of the year when we are encouraged to genuflect before the crucifix, not the plain cross, when we come for veneration.

 

[redrosetea]

The cross isn’t worshiped it is venerated, big difference

 

[japhy]

Source: Summa Theologica, Third Part, Question 25, Article 4.

 

[mattheus09]

Actually, things that represent God are given “relative latria”, but you are right we never give anyone but God “absolute latria”.

 

[AJV]

Actually, things that represent God are given “relative latria”, but you are right we never give anyone but God “absolute latria”.

“Relative latria” according to the teaching of St. Thomas and a few other early scholastics. The majority opinion especially after Trent abandoned this.

 

[mattheus09]

“Relative latria” according to the teaching of St. Thomas and a few other early scholastics. The majority opinion especially after Trent abandoned this.

This is a quote from the New Catholic Dictionary

At least since Saint Augustine’s time (The City of God, X, 1) the technical name for homage due to God on account of His infinite excellence and rights, and man’s complete submission to Him. Its distinctive act is sacrifice. Absolute latria is due exclusively to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; to the Son in His Divinity and Humanity, in His local and sacramental Presence. Representations of God and things connected with God may receive relative latria.