Question about Saint Christopher

  • Thread starter Thread starter Traci
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Traci

Guest
I was researching a little on Saint Christopher and I get the impression that he isn’t recognized as a “real” saint anymore…!
Before the formal canonization process began in the fifteenth century, many saints were proclaimed by popular approval. This was a much faster process but unfortunately many of the saints so named were based on legends, pagan mythology, or even other religions – for example, the story of the Buddha traveled west to Europe and he was “converted” into a Catholic saint! In 1969, the Church took a long look at all the saints on its calendar to see if there was historical evidence that that saint existed and lived a life of holiness. In taking that long look, the Church discovered that there was little proof that many “saints”, including some very popular ones, ever lived. Christopher was one of the names that was determined to have a basis mostly in legend. Therefore Christopher (and others) were dropped from the universal calendar. catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=36
Click to expand...
My question is that if it was determined that he wasn’t a “real” saint, what happens to the prayers for his intercession? He is a popular saint and I am just wondering if it is an “empty” prayer…and why is he still so popular if he isn’t a saint and can’t intercede for us?

Anyone have any info on this?
Thanks everyone!

God Bless
Traci
 
He’s still a saint, merely removed from the calendar. Feel free to ask his intercession.
 
40.png
Traci:
My question is that if it was determined that he wasn’t a “real” saint, what happens to the prayers for his intercession? He is a popular saint and I am just wondering if it is an “empty” prayer…and why is he still so popular if he isn’t a saint and can’t intercede for us?
Click to expand...
As A&O said, he is still a real saint. Even if he weren’t, however, our prayers for intercession would simply be heard by other Saints. No prayer is wasted.
 
Better not tell that to all the parishes who bear his name. We have one in our neighboring suburb.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top