Religion 08: Communion of Saints

Why do we pray to saints? Shouldn’t we pray to God alone? (write down)◦ There’s a difference between worship and prayer◦ Catholics do not worship saints. ◦ We ask saints to pray for us ◦ Not praying to a saint

Prior Questions

No. These people may have died on Earth, but they are alive in Heaven.◦ Jesus: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of

Isaac, and the God of Jacob … not the God of the dead but of the living. (Matthew 22: 29) (St. Luke's Gospel 20:38 adds "for to him all are

alive" or "for all live unto him")◦ “I am the resurrection and the life. He who

believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:24)

Are we praying to dead people?

So I’m praying that St. Anthony will help me find my missing iPod …◦ St. Anthony acts as an advocate. He takes the prayers

to God “in person”◦ He can go to the very throne of God

St. Anthony (Patron saint of lost things)

But why not pray to Jesus directly????◦ Every day, we’ve prayed for the sick/suffering, people who are

travelling, and “for each other”, “to have a good day”◦ Praying for others is what Christians do!◦ Strengthens the community◦ These other people could pray directly to Jesus, but we pray for

them also◦ Kind of like signing a petition (cafeteria example)

Although we (humans) are all equal in the eyes of God, those in direct union with Him (in heaven) have more influence◦ JER 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel were to

stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people.”◦ Moses and Samuel were two of the most influential figures in the Bible.

What God is seeming to say is that they have more influence.

Prior Questions cont’d

“Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners”◦ We ask Mary to pray for us. Mary is Jesus’ mother

and has a lot of clout!

Hail Mary, full of grace

Coming up soon … 4 step process.

How does one become a saint?

We are called to be like Jesus◦ Can’t do everything he did, but we

should try to be true to ourselves and to our relationship with God

Communion of Saints: All the faithful (living or dead) are connected. We are all part of the body of Christ◦ Even people who have died are

still connected to us. ◦ People who have died still have

influence over Earthly affairs!!! ◦ Stadium example

Review

An end to Earthly life, but the beginning of everlasting life

We become closer to God and to all those who are with God

Death does not separate our community. ◦ Someone who has died is now closer to God (and

has everlasting life). They are still able to influence what happens on Earth.

Death

Human beings who have lived holy lives in obedience to God’s will

Saints are not born saints. They are not perfect or sinless. They come from ordinary families.

While no one is perfect, some are on the road to sainthood

Saints

An intercession is asking members of the communion of saints in Heaven to pray to God on your behalf (or on the behalf of others)

We do this every morning! (St Peter etc.)

Intercession

1. Servant of God ◦ When the case is opened for consideration

2. Venerable◦ The Vatican counsel determines that you led a life of heroic

virtue ◦ You worked aggressively to improve your spirituality. You

never gave up trying to better yourself and grow in holiness.

3. Beatification◦ After the church establishes one miracle, it is presented to

the Pope to see if the person is worthy of being called a saint

◦ Once a person is beatified, they’re known as “Blessed” 4. Canonization

◦ Another miracle, and the cause is presented for judgment

How to become a saint (finally)

Miracles that occur either before or after death are necessary in becoming a saint

God acts through saints to perform miracles around them

Saints are role models of the faith. ◦ Worthy of being imitated◦ If God grants them the ability to perform miracles,

then even He is saying “take notice of these people!”◦ 1 Cor 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”

(Paul)

Miracles

Levitation◦ The person levitates into the air◦ Ex: St. Francis Xavier

Bilocation◦ The person appears in two places

(far apart) at once◦ Ex: Padre Pio

Stigmata◦ The person’s body has the five

wounds of Christ. These wounds often bleed during mass, then stop

◦ Ex: St. Francis of Assisi

Miracles during life

Incorruptibility◦ Long after death, the person’s

body is found free of decay when exhumed from the grave

◦ Ex: St. Bernadette of Soubirous Liquefaction

◦ The dried blood of the person liquefies on the feast day

Odor of Sanctity◦ The body of the person has a

sweet aroma like roses, instead of smelling like decay

Miracles during death

Chosen as protectors and guardians over life

There are patron saints of occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, specific causes

Often, an interest/talent/event in the saints life overlaps in a certain area

Ex: Saint Francis of Assisi loved nature, and is therefore the patron saint of ecologists

Ex: Saint Francis de Sales was a writer, and is the patron saint of journalists

Patron Saints

Relics, are material remains of a deceased saint or martyr, or objects closely associated with those remains

Can be entire skeletons, but more commonly:◦ A bone, piece of hair, or tooth◦ Pieces of clothing◦ Other objects that have come in contact with a

relic

Relics

First class relic◦ Items directly associated with the events of

Christ’s life OR physical remains or a saint Manger, cross, bone, piece of hair, limb, etc

Second class relic◦ An item the saint wore, owned or used often

Sock, shirt, glove, crucifix, a book, etc Third class relic

◦ Any object that is touched by a first class relic 1st class ex: Saint Anthony’s tongue

Relics