Prayer to Non-Canonized Saints

[MysticSeeker]

What are the ‘rules’ about praying for the intercession of a saint before that saint is canonized by the Church? I remember hearing about a nun who had been miraculously cured of some disease after praying to now Blessed John Paul II and this leading to his becoming beatified. Servant of God Dorothy Day has long been someone I have admired coming from a labor background, is it appropriate to pray for her intercession though she isn’t canonized as a saint (yet)? Also, I feel a very strong connection to Thomas Merton, can I pray for his intercession even though he’s not recognized as a saint? I mean, after all, that nun must have been praying to a non-beatified JPII or the whole story would be pointless. Thanks.

 

[MarkThompson]

Yes, that is exactly how people become saints – because people prayed to them and miracles were granted through their intercession. Non-beatified people cannot be the subject of a public cultus, but private devotions are just fine. Of course, there is always the risk that the person you are praying to is not a saint, which is to say, that he or she is actually in Hell. One might imagine that in those cases God respects your good intentions and hears your prayer anyway.

 

[st_julie]

Saints are not made except by God. The Church recognizes a saint