It is a common misunderstanding that Catholics worship Mary and the Saints. Father George provides insight and an explanation as to why Catholics “pray” to the angels and the saints so that you can share the information with friends and family who challenge you about your beliefs.
Why Do Catholics Pray To The Angels And Saints?
Catholics aren’t worshipping the Saints and Angels. We are asking for their intercession and for them to implore God’s favor on us.
Fr. George Elliott
“Besides what the saints can do for us by their prayers, the very practice of venerating the saints does great good for those who are devoted to the saints. By practicing love of the saints we strengthen the unity of the entire Body of Christ in the Spirit. This in turn brings us all closer to Christ. “For just as Christian communion among wayfarers brings us closer to Christ, so our companionship with the saints joins us to Christ, from Whom as from its Fountain and Head issues every grace and the very life of the people of God.” Love of the saints necessarily includes and leads to love of Christ and to love of the Holy Trinity. “For every genuine testimony of love shown by us to those in heaven, by its very nature tends toward and terminates in Christ who is the ‘crown of all saints,’ and through Him, in God Who is wonderful in his saints and is magnified in them.”
—From Popular Devotional Practices
Image: https://www.cathopic.com/photo/19718-yo-quiero-ser-santo
