The Being of Saints and Angels

[AlanBaker773]

I know that Saints and Angels operate through God, that they are nothing without him. But does this mean they have no minds or wills of their own? For example, can one ask Saint Michael directly for help in something, as long as they maintain the understanding that God is the one who gives him power? I guess the real question here is, can someone pray to a Saint or Angel directly and exclusively? Like if someone came and asked me for help, and I went forward with my own being and helped them.

 

[Carmelite1983]

Your asking that saint or angel to pray FOR you. It’s an intercession.

 

[AlanBaker773]

I understand the intercession part, but can you still have a relationship with that Saint or Angel?

 

[TK421]

Saints and angels are 100% autonomous creatures that have personalities and wills. You can talk to them the same way you’d talk to your closest friend. Because they have been purified, are completely in love with God, and absorbed in ecstasy in his Presence, the idea of doing anything contrary to His will is inconceivable.

 

[AlanBaker773]

I see. So what you’re saying is that praying to them directly is acceptable because they wouldn’t do anything contrary to God’s will anyway?

 

[TK421]

People in Heaven (and hell) are 100% committed to their cause.

It’s always understood that God’s grace is necessary to enable something charitable to happen. This is just as true on Earth as it is in Heaven. Even when you pray to a saint in the first place, it was the Holy Spirit that prompted you to pray. We can’t do the tiniest good thing without God’s help.

 

[AlanBaker773]

So does God give the Saints and Angels powers of their own?

 

[TK421]

Any ability is a gift from God and is sustained by God, but yes, angels have certain mysterious abilities.

This is how demons are able to cause harm. They abuse the gifts God gave them, just like human beings can either use or abuse their gifts.

 

[AlanBaker773]

So are they basically independent beings empowered by God?

 

[TK421]

Yes, they completely retain their individuality, but they are totally loyal to God through their free choice and only do His will:

CCC
**[947] "Since all the faithful form one body, the good of each is communicated to the others. . . . We must therefore believe that there exists a communion of goods in the Church. But the most important member is Christ, since he is the head. . . . Therefore, the riches of Christ are communicated to all the members, through the sacraments."480 “As this Church is governed by one and the same Spirit, all the goods she has received necessarily become a common fund.”

Another facet of the saints is that they don’t hide anything from one another. i.e. what is brought up to one saint is brought up to all saints. The entire heavenly court prays and intercedes as one body, with Christ as the head.

 

[Vico]

I know that Saints and Angels operate through God, that they are nothing without him. But does this mean they have no minds or wills of their own? For example, can one ask Saint Michael directly for help in something, as long as they maintain the understanding that God is the one who gives him power? I guess the real question here is, can someone pray to a Saint or Angel directly and exclusively? Like if someone came and asked me for help, and I went forward with my own being and helped them.

Catechism

335 … In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance …
336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.202 "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life."203 Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.
202 Cf. Mt 18:10; Lk 16:22; Ps 34:7; 91:10-13; Job 33:23-24; Zech 1:12; Tob 12:12.
203 St. Basil, Adv. Eunomium III, I: PG 29,656B.