Praying to "saints"

[davymax3]

Something that has been on my mind for awhile is whether it is right to pray to (as opposed to for) people who are not designated saints. I pray to my cousin (she suffered from Spina Bifida amongst other things dying at 16 and was a very holy young women) and I feel like that’s okay, because I can’t possibly imagine a world where she didn’t achieve salvation. However, someone like G. K. Chesterton I feel also must be a Saint and I find myself praying to him many times throughout the day. But then I feel weird doing that because he’s not recognized as a saint by the church. So, then I end up doing a conditional pray, such as, hey, if you’re up there, then I’m asking you for help. Does anyone else do this?

 

[KeriW12]

I dont think it is really a prayer so to speak it is like most ppl asks other ppl to pray for them as long as you dont use worlds like saint and holy and hail other words used in a way to honor the person higher then what they are you should be fine I have asked deceased family members to pray for me alot.

 

[davymax3]

I dont think it is really a prayer so to speak it is like most ppl asks other ppl to pray for them

That’s exactly what a prayer is, no? We’re asking them to pray for us. To intercede on our behalf with God. The title of “Saint” is proper for anyone in heaven whether recognized by the church or not. It would not be elevating them. They are already elevated if indeed in heaven.

 

[gardenswithkids]

Something that has been on my mind for awhile is whether it is right to pray to (as opposed to for) people who are not designated saints. I pray to my cousin (she suffered from Spina Bifida amongst other things dying at 16 and was a very holy young women) and I feel like that’s okay, because I can’t possibly imagine a world where she didn’t achieve salvation. However, someone like G. K. Chesterton I feel also must be a Saint and I find myself praying to him many times throughout the day. But then I feel weird doing that because he’s not recognized as a saint by the church. So, then I end up doing a conditional pray, such as, hey, if you’re up there, then I’m asking you for help. Does anyone else do this?

Yes, I do this. (I often including a prayer for the person in case he/she is in Purgatory.) Before the Church canonizes a saint, a certain number of miracles be attributed to the persons’ intercession. If Catholics couldn’t ask for their intercession of non-canonized persons that we believe to be in heaven, the canonization process.would have to change.

 

[didymus]

Yes, I do this. (I often including a prayer for the person in case he/she is in Purgatory.) Before the Church canonizes a saint, a certain number of miracles be attributed to the persons’ intercession. If Catholics couldn’t ask for their intercession of non-canonized persons that we believe to be in heaven, the canonization process.would have to change.

A person for whom a cause of canonisation is underway are called Servants of God. I have (somewhere around here) a prayer card for Kateri Tekakwitha from before her beatification declaring her a Servant of God and “worthy of being prayed to” for certain patronages with our bishop’s imprimatur.

From listening to CA Live, I understand that people in Purgatory cannot help themselves but they can pray (intercede) for others so if you pray to someone who has not been declared a saint you don’t even have to worry whether they are presently in Heaven.

 

[gardenswithkids]

A person for whom a cause of canonisation is underway are called Servants of God. I have (somewhere around here) a prayer card for Kateri Tekakwitha from before her beatification declaring her a Servant of God and “worthy of being prayed to” for certain patronages with our bishop’s imprimatur.

From listening to CA Live, I understand that people in Purgatory cannot help themselves but they can pray (intercede) for others so if you pray to someone who has not been declared a saint you don’t even have to worry whether they are presently in Heaven.

Thanks for writing that. Yes, it is also my understanding that the Holy Souls in Purgatory can pray for us. But if they are in Purgatory it seems only fair to pray for them if we’re asking them to pray for us.

 

[davymax3]

If Catholics couldn’t ask for their intercession of non-canonized persons that we believe to be in heaven, the canonization process.would have to change.

Yea… That seems pretty obvious now. Good point! I guess the only time it would be completely pointless is in the most unfortunate and lamentable circumstance in which the deceased is neither in heaven or purgatory.

 

[JanetF]

I talk to my dad often, not to be confused with my Father, who I also talk to quite often.

 

[NHInsider]

The vast majority of saints are not canonised . . .