Praying to not yet beatified or canonized saints

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namax91

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I was wondering if there were any sort of ground rules for praying to people who have died but have not been canonized or beatified. I do know that someone needs to have had two miracles performed when people have prayed to them, so I guess it has to start somewhere? If the person is not actually in Heaven, is there any risk to the soul of a person asking for their intercession? Like is it fine to ask for the intercession of deceased loved ones? I’ve been wondering this for a while, and after reading about James Foley, the journalist who was killed in Syria, I would like to know if it’s okay to pray for his intercession. He seems to have been serious about his Catholic faith.
 
I have been a little unclear about this also. It must be okay because that is how miracles become associated with saints.

I would think that this young man is a Martyr for the Faith and as such he is a saint. The Church may same day officially declare him a saint. I would love to see that happen soon. The other martyred Christians in the area will also some day be officially declared saints.

I am glad you brought this up. It has given me something to think about.
 
namax91 said:
I was wondering if there were any sort of ground rules for praying to people who have died but have not been canonized or beatified. I do know that someone needs to have had two miracles performed when people have prayed to them, so I guess it has to start somewhere? If the person is not actually in Heaven, is there any risk to the soul of a person asking for their intercession? Like is it fine to ask for the intercession of deceased loved ones? I’ve been wondering this for a while, and after reading about James Foley, the journalist who was killed in Syria, I would like to know if it’s okay to pray for his intercession. He seems to have been serious about his Catholic faith.
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No it’s not okay.

Yes, for the miracles you have to start somewhere. That’s when the Cause for Canonization is open, and the candidate has been declared Venerable (i.e. a Declaration of Heroic Virtue has been issued).

Before that, you pray for his soul, not presume he is in heaven.

James Foley is a martyr only if he was killed out of hatred for the faith. We don’t determine that; only the Church does.
 
porthos11 said:
No it’s not okay.

Yes, for the miracles you have to start somewhere. That’s when the Cause for Canonization is open, and the candidate has been declared Venerable (i.e. a Declaration of Heroic Virtue) has been issued.

Before that, you pray for his soul, not presume he is in heaven.

James Foley is a martyr only if he was killed out of hatred for the faith. We don’t determine that; only the Church does.
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How is the cause started? Is it something that sort come up from the people’s love or interests in a particular person? I have not really thought about how it all happens.
 
HelenRose said:
How is the cause started? Is it something that sort come up from the people’s love or interests in a particular person? I have not really thought about how it all happens.
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It starts at the diocesan level and the competent authority is the diocesan bishop. He grants permission for an investigation into the candidate’s virtues based on petitions from the faithful. If the bishop determines, based on information gathered and reported, that a cause should be opened, he then submits the case to Rome. At this point, the candidate is called “Servant of God”, but no cultus is permitted at this point.
 
porthos11 said:
Understandable, but still improper.
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I don’t believe there is anything improper about private veneration, the Church’s process of canonization regards public veneration. I don’t believe there is anything wrong with venerating one’s deceased relatives or others, except if they were obviously immoral, living in sin, against the church or some other practice contrary to faith.
 
SyroMalankara said:
I don’t believe there is anything improper about private veneration, the Church’s process of canonization regards public veneration. I don’t believe there is anything wrong with venerating one’s deceased relatives or others, except if they were obviously immoral, living in sin, against the church or some other practice contrary to faith.
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Barring any word from the Church, it is a much greater work of charity to pray for the souls of your loved ones. If by God’s grace, they are already in heaven and no longer need our prayers, God will apply the merits of those prayers to other souls who need them.
 
porthos11 said:
Barring any word from the Church, it is a much greater work of charity to pray for the souls of your loved ones. If by God’s grace, they are already in heaven and no longer need our prayers, God will apply the merits of those prayers to other souls who need them.
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We need not have an either-or mentality, as with most Catholic ideals, it’s both-and.
 
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