I received a question via email from one of the readers asking if this site called catholic.com is official, Church-approved, etc. This reader attached a link to a page on that site which is all about praying to the saints, and the article explains that while more than three quarters of Christians accept and believe in the saints interceding for us, this concept still comes under attack from many people within the Protestant movement.
When you have the time, please take a few moments to read or at least skim through the paragraphs in the above-mentioned article. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts, and I’m sure this reader will appreciate any perspective or feedback that anyone may want to offer.
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Hello, my name is Margo. When I was 23 years old and working as a part-time nanny in New York City I had the pleasure of caring for a little 5-year-old boy named Alexander. One day I had been overcome with sadness and in a weak moment, I found myself confiding to this little boy about a friend I couldn't find because he was lost. Alexander, quickly responded without missing a beat, “Follow a trail!” [
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Catholic.com (Catholic Answers), to my knowledge is an independent, but faithful Catholic apologetics web site, run by Karl Keating and James Akin. I believe I have bought books from them, and they are a good source for warding off anti-Catholic attacks.
On the prayer to the saints issue, you’d save yourself a lot of wasted time, by just not paying attention to the Protestants. But just for starters, they claim that Jesus is the one Mediator between God and man, and thus, we cannot have any other middle men. (ie, saints) However, they don’t read 1Timothy2:5 in context. St. Paul was talking about redemption, not prayer. The word mediator is a legal term. A mediator is one who settles a dispute, and Jesus settled the dispute between God and Man. But that has nothing to do with prayer. In fact, at the opening of the chapter, St Paul says: “I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men.” Here we see St. Paul asking us to pray for others. That puts other “middle men” in the picture. In other he places, he asks the faithful to pray for him. So we could not be “violating” scripture by asking the Saints to pray for us. They also like this “one mediator” thing, because the way they interpret it, there’s no need for priest, Church or Pope either. Remember – Protestants have a “personal relationship” with God; or so they boast.
But no matter what good reasons you put up, they will not give in – because it’s not the prayer part they don’t like – it’s the saints part they don’t like. Nobody can be closer to God than themselves. Otherwise, it would indicate that good works had efficacy, and that blows them up.
Bryan;
Thank you for your response and confirmation. The request came from me, thank you Margo for respecting my privacy. As you know I’m in discovery mode, so I want to make sure that the sources I use are accepted. Thank you Bryan for confirming this source and providing the other to me as well, It means a lot to me, more than I can express.
If anyone has questions or concerns about this practice, please do have a look at the above link, it is the best and most simplified explanation I have found to date and really cleared things up for me.
You see I’m in a non Catholic church, we too come under attack by statements that are simply not true or happened but do not represent what we truly believe. My concern based on the appearance of the practice, coupled with miss information and outright lies, led me to believe(wrongly) that Catholics were “worshiping” the Saints, this could not be further from the truth as explained here, the above link, and Catholic friends of mine. Yet my Catholic friends were unable to quantify it like the above statement, which is what led me here to discover the truth.
That link really simplifies it a lot but in its simplicity explains why it is not only ok but why would you not want to?
Please do take the time to read the response it’s not very long and will really give you;
A) Perspective if you are not Catholic;
B) An easy tool to explain it to a Non-Catholic in a way they will understand if you are Catholic.
Thank you again Bryan and Margo;
Ryan
Thanks Ryan – sorry again for my “dog bite” responses. I thought you were an ex-Catholic and they *really* bother me. If you still consider yourself to be on a spiritual journey, then bon voyage, but you’ve already found it right here!
Thanks Bryan; No apology necessary though absolutely accepted.
It is a practice of mercy that we Catholics “practitioners” (or convinced and committed) carry the Light of Truth to those who still live in darkness or in error. Not because we are better people or better Christians, but because we have received the light of revelation (without merit, by the way). And we bring light without “poses” and not of superiority or arrogance but with humility. We are just “useless servants.” And we are called to consider others better than ourselves. “Woe to us, but we preach the Gospel.” Nor is it vain to argue with those who are unwilling to hear the truth.
Well, the above article clearly explains the biblical basis of our belief in the intercession of the saints. There is not worship, is a plea, is intercession. The Catholic Mass frequently recite the Apostles’ Creed which we say: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.”
And this goes for Ryan. You who are in discovery mode, I congratulate you! I wasted over 35 years in the way of “do what I want, I have my own truth, no one sends me.” But 6 years ago (after a tremendous impact on my life; I would not wish on anyone) I started to look, recoating and ask for clarity and certainty confirmation … and without doubt, the Lord (who is Love and Truth), have conducted me by way of truth, of Forgiveness and Love … and Light. On Sunday at church I heard this: Wisdom of Solomon, 1 1. Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the LORD in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; 2. Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him. 3. For perverse counsels separate a man from God, and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy; 4. Because into a soul that plots evil wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin. 5. For the holy spirit of discipline flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counsels; and when injustice occurs it is rebuked. 6. For wisdom is a kindly spirit, yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips; Because God is the witness of his inmost self and the sure observer of his heart and the listener to his tongue. 7. For the spirit of the LORD fills the world, is all-embracing, and knows what man says.
Well, I hope I never have sounded arrogant or stupid … I just wanted to share my opnion and what I believe. Finally I want to say that we Catholics must be faithful to Christ and the Church He founded on Peter, therefore, we believe in the Magisterium.
Selin;
Please do not apologize for your belief, I am honored as I believe we all should be in your sharing. I hope I’ve been clear the past few days, that my intent here is not to force what I believe into the conversation(though its bound to happen, and is always meant with pure intent) but to understand what it is that you as Catholic’s believe. So in sharing you honor me, my desire to understand.
My primary task in “Discovery” is to be armed with truth. When I hear fellow Christan’s talking of other Christians beliefs most of what they believe to be true are lies or half truths(same thing in my opinion). I do not wish to emulate that, but desire to stand in the truth as much as possible.
Love and Blessings
Ryan
Good Day, Ryan:
You are awesome, dude! I love that you are seeking the truth…don’t ever stop. For many years I struggled as you have and are with a true understanding of God, Who He is, and how He shows Himself to His creatures. As a philosophy major in college my professors taught me, and the early philosophers tutored my mind in reasoning clearly. The Scriptures clearly showed me- and God’s Spirit softened me and the eyes of my heart were opened, my “new” soul, recieved at Baptism was cleaned up, and the Corner Stone settled in to my heart. That Stone, though rejected by some who stumble over it, rather than rest on it, is now the Love of my life, by Bridegroom. It is with joy that I watch your journey, Ryan. It is a precious gift to me and I am sure to Margo and her readers that you share so openly and honestly your search. I love it!
As you continue, God Himself will confirm His Truth to your kind and searching heart. Even a poor father will get and give bread to his children, how much more will your Father and mine give to us seekers of Truth anything less than Truth Himself, his Son, Jesus. He is waiting for you in the Tabernacle, Ryan. Keep searching, my brother. And keep sharing with us on this blog – thank you!
Hi Karen;
awww Thanks Karen for the kind words, I never know how to respond to such wonderful comments. They are, warmly received and appreciated as they server as confirmation that I’m doing as my Lord commands me and that is a blessing. It is a precious thing to know that I’m serving my Lord, sometime it’s hard to see so, when others confirm it I want to cry, shout praises to God, and sing. For all the “awesome” is Him that created me, and had mercy on my soul.
If God blesses me to live into my 90′s I hope that I am still searching for His truth. The day that I have stopped seeking the Lord and His truth is the day that I have lost my way again.
Romans[11]
33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. [RSV online]
Love and Blessings
Ryan