Praying to the Saints

phinsbama · #1 Jun 28, '11, 6:57 pm

Hi. I am very new to the Catholic Faith and to this forum as well. I was wondering? Is praying to the saints for intercession biblical or handed down tradition? If it is biblical, where can I find it?

ESMDHokie77 · #2 Jun 28, '11, 7:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by phinsbama

Hi. I am very new to the Catholic Faith and to this forum as well. I was wondering? Is praying to the saints for intercession biblical or handed down tradition? If it is biblical, where can I find it?

James 5:16... the prayers of a righteous man availeth much. I'm sure others will contribute here shortly.

Cat Herder · #3 Jun 28, '11, 8:43 pm

Yes, it is biblical to pray to the saints. Even the Jews did it (and still do it). Just like Catholics, the Jews pray especially for the intercession of their shared mother.

Please review all 3 linked articles and post here if you have any questions.

**NotWorthy** · #4 Jun 28, '11, 9:22 pm

In Revelation, do you see the saints underneath the altar offering up the prayers of ours as incense?

Where did those saints get those prayers from?

pablope · #5 Jun 28, '11, 11:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by phinsbama

Hi. I am very new to the Catholic Faith and to this forum as well. I was wondering? Is praying to the saints for intercession biblical or handed down tradition? If it is biblical, where can I find it?

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/saints.html

Read Rev chapter 4 to 8 for starters.

phinsbama · #6 Jun 29, '11, 6:59 am

Thanks guys. This should give me something to chew on for a while.

CS

Swiss Guy · #7 Jun 29, '11, 9:18 am

rev. 5:8, Heb 12:1, james 5:16. There are more though.

**Church Militant** · #8 Jun 29, '11, 11:04 am

I wrote the following article for my blog. I hope it helps.
The Intercession & Communion of Saints

JonathonofOhio · #9 Jul 5, '11, 6:59 am

One other thing that is a good read is "An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith" by John of Damascus, Book IV written in the 7th or 8th century. Chapter 15 discusses the Saints, and Chapter 16 discusses sacred images.

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/33044.htm

mcrow · #10 Jul 5, '11, 7:02 am

I like to think of it as praying to Jesus through the Saints, not praying directly to them. Sort of like asking a friend to put in a good word for me with the big guy.

Trevor Stamm · #11 Jul 5, '11, 9:58 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrow

I like to think of it as praying to Jesus through the Saints, not praying directly to them. Sort of like asking a friend to put in a good word for me with the big guy.

Exactly.

Remember phin, we don't pray TO saints, we pray with them TO Christ and ask them to pray for us TO Christ for mercy.

Swiss Guy · #12 Jul 6, '11, 6:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by phinsbama

Hi. I am very new to the Catholic Faith and to this forum as well. I was wondering? Is praying to the saints for intercession biblical or handed down tradition? If it is biblical, where can I find it?

Since your new, get in the habit of praying to them every day and soon it will feel natural (once you know why you pray to them). It's just beginning to be normal for me.