What are the limits to praying to saints and the virgin mary?

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I know were able to ask saints and the Virgin Mary to intercede for us, but is asking for their prayers the limit when speaking to them? (Ex. Would it be a sin to ask the Virgin Mary for guidance and help? Would it be a sin to ask a saint for help like looking for your car keys, or asking St. Raphael to heal someone?)
 
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Understanding that all power comes from God, asking intercessors to pray for you or others is perfectly fine. Saint Anthony of Padua is legendary for, among other things, helping to find lost articles.
 
We can exist on God alone, yet we have people around us here on Earth. As long as we have the detachment to know God alone suffices, we may prudently have loved ones here on earth. How much greater is it to have a friendship with those in Heaven?! We may certainly speak to Mary and the Saints apart from asking their intercession, as long as it is done within reason. They appreciate our love for them. Saint Gabriel Possenti appeared to Saint Gemma as a reward for her great love for him. Do not fear when it comes to loving the Saints, they are like your family, but in Heaven.
 
cjmoa said:
I know were able to ask saints and the Virgin Mary to intercede for us, but is asking for their prayers the limit when speaking to them?
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The Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), 50, says, in part, emphasis mine:
It is supremely fitting, therefore, that we love those friends and coheirs of Jesus Christ, who are also our brothers and extraordinary benefactors, that we render due thanks to God for them (14*) and “suppliantly invoke them and have recourse to their prayers, their power and help in obtaining benefits from God through His Son, Jesus Christ, who is our Redeemer and Saviour.” (15*)

Footnote (15*): Council of Trent, Session 25, On The Invocation, Veneration, And Relics Of Saints, And On Sacred Images.
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However, praying to the saints must not be allowed to devolve into idolatry or divination.
 
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cjmoa said:
Would it be a sin to ask the Virgin Mary for guidance and help? Would it be a sin to ask a saint for help like looking for your car keys, or asking St. Raphael to heal someone
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All this stuff is normal and fine to ask as long as you realize the power is coming from God ultimately. Like, St. Raphael doesn’t heal people on his own. He asks God for that.

Basically as long as you’re not saying, “I adore you and worship you, St. So-and-so” or thinking that saints are little gods with powers of their own that don’t come from God, you’re fine. No need to nit pick it and be all like “is it okay for me to pray for this or that”.

I pray all day long stuff like “Mary, help me,” or “St. Joseph, protect me and my property”, or “St. Anthony, please help me find my keys” etc and it’s no big thing because I realize God is behind all of those matters ultimately.
 
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Why wouldnt you ask saints to Pray for you?They are in the presence of God,There prayers are for sure more powerful than ours.And Why not ask Mary for lead?God give her graces.And do you think that Jesus would say no to her mother?I Dont think so.
 
Just like we ask people on earth to help us in more ways than prayer to God, and much like the angels can and do more than just pray, so can the saints in Heaven.
 
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Which is actually extremely hard to do for most Catholics. Idolatry would mean that we would not only think of, but address, Mary and the Saints as Lord, Savior, and God or equivalent to God.

I don’t know any Catholics who would say, “St Anthony, I have lost my keys. I will offer a sacrifice of fat rams to you who are Lord of the Keys to restore them to me, who alone can do so”. . .etc.

Although please, guys, now that I have made this tongue-in-cheek post, don’t LIFT it and pretend that “See, this Catholic prayed to St. Anthony like God!”
 
stpurl said:
I don’t know any Catholics who would say, “St Anthony, I have lost my keys. I will offer a sacrifice of fat rams to you who are Lord of the Keys to restore them to me, who alone can do so”. . .etc.
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The only people who would do this are those (a small minority in certain geographic areas) who practice Santeria/ voodoo/ hoodoo type stuff where they actually think of St. Anthony and certain other saints as being like little gods.
Normal Catholics would not do this and we know that Mary and the saints do not want us to do this and would be the first to tell us to stop.
 
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I was more concern with asking a saint for guidance. How exactly would that work? How would the saint provide their guidance? Through omens or lots? Isn’t seeking guidance through such things a form of divination? (See Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2116)

As far as guidance is concerned, if possible, a Catholic should probably seek it from their priest or bishop because saints in heaven are not the only spirits (I’m thinking, demons) who can cause omens and influence lots. After all, our pastors and teachers were Christ’s gift to us and we should obey and submit to them. (Eph 4:11; Heb 13:17)
 
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I’m guessing if you turn to them with your prayers more then Our Lord and Savior. Depend on them for your salvation. When you believe you don’t need to pray to God because you are praying to saints or Mary, you may have passed your limit.

But only you can know the answer to that question, I guess.

Never forget…
Philippians 4:19
 
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