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The Bible teaches that Saints are those in Heaven with Christ:

"To open their eyes, that they may be converted from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and a lot among the saints, by the faith that is in me." (Acts of the Apostles 26:18)

Now, as for asking for the intercession of the Saints that comes from Tradition and Scripture.

From Scripture:

"And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints:" (Apocalypse 5:8)

"And another angel came, and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel." (Apocalypse 8:3-4)

From Tradition (The Catechism of the Catholic Church):

"The intercession of the saints. "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. . . . They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . . . . So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped" (CCC 956)

"Communion with the saints. "It is not merely by the title of example that we cherish the memory of those in heaven; we seek, rather, that by this devotion to the exercise of fraternal charity the union of the whole Church in the Spirit may be strengthened. Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself": We worship Christ as God's Son; we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples!" (CCC 957)

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2d ago

Catholics believe in saints as exemplary followers of Christ who have lived holy lives and are now in heaven interceding for us. Saints serve as role models and offer guidance and inspiration for believers to live a life of faith and virtue. Praying to saints is a way for Catholics to seek their intercession and ask for their help in prayers to God.

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Continue Learning about Religious Studies

Are Catholics required to pray to saints?

Catholics are not required to pray to saints, but it is a common practice in Catholic tradition to seek the intercession of saints for their prayers. This is based on the belief that the saints can intercede on behalf of individuals before God. Ultimately, prayer in the Catholic faith is directed to God, but saints can serve as intercessors.


Why are saints important to Catholics?

Saints are seen as role models of faith and virtue in the Catholic faith. Catholics believe that saints, through their lives and intercessions, can help believers grow closer to God and strengthen their own faith. Saints also serve as examples of how to live a life devoted to God and inspire Catholics to follow in their footsteps.


Do catholics believe jesus rose form the grave?

Yes, Catholics believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ as described in the Bible. They adhere to the belief that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion, which is seen as a central tenet of their faith.


Who celebrate transubstantion?

Transubstantiation is a belief held by the Catholic Church. Catholics believe that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. This belief is celebrated during the Mass by Catholics around the world.


Is the catholic religion the only religion to believe in saints?

No, other Christian denominations, such as Eastern Orthodox and some Protestant churches, also believe in saints. Additionally, some other religions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, have figures that can be considered similar to saints in terms of their spiritual significance.

Related questions

Why do you honor saints in heaven?

Yes catholics honor and believe in saints. They pray to saints, build churches in their honor. Catholics believe that saints in heaven pray on their behalf to GOD.


What religions pray to saints?

The Catholics pray to Saints. They believe they are in heaven with God and pray on our behalf as well.


Why do Catholics worship saints?

Catholics worship only God. However, we venerate, or honor, saints and, in doing so, honor their Creator. This is little different from honoring George Washington or Abraham Lincoln or other historical figures. Catholics believe in the Communion of Saints and the Mystical Body of Christ which includes all saints, living and dead, who are united spiritually.


Do Catholics worship saints?

Catholics worship only God. However, we venerate, or honor, saints and, in doing so, honor their Creator. This is little different from honoring George Washington or Abraham Lincoln or other historical figures. Catholics believe in the Communion of Saints and the Mystical Body of Christ which includes all saints, living and dead, who are united spiritually.


Do catholics believe in praying to anyone other than God?

Yes Catholics do believe in praying to Virgin Mary, St Joseph and all other saints. They do pray to God, but also believe praying to Mary, Joseph and the saints and the observation is that the favours are granted pretty soon. The belief lies in - saints pray on their behalf to GOD so the petitions get answered soon.


Why aren't Catholics supposed to believe in UFO's or Gypsies?

No, they are not supposed to believe in UFO's or Gypsies. However they do believe in saints. (Saint Mary, Saint John, Saint Peter.)


Why don't assemsbly of god believe catholics are christians?

Becaus Catholics aren't Christians. Catholics believe that you have to go through the High Priest to talk to God, they believe that you'll go to purgetory if you do something wrong you didn't confess, and they pray to the saints. Christians, on the other hand, don't believe they need to go through someone else to talk to God (Jesus took care of the sepparation), they believe that if you rely on Jesus to get to heaven then you will go to heaven (no pergetory), and they only pray to God because the saints are only human.


What are some ways Catholics disagree with Christians?

Well Catholics are Christians. Some ways they disagree with Protestants are: 1.Catholics believe you get to heaven by baptism plus faith plus works. Protestants believe you get to heaven by faith alone. 2.Catholics believe Communion is really Jesus. Protestants believe Communion is just a memorial of Jesus. However there are some Protestants that believe Communion almost like the Catholics. Lutherans for example. 3.Catholics honor saints. Protestants do not. These are some differeces. If you want to know mor but this in the address box. www.godonthe.net/evidence/catholic.htm


Why do some Catholics ask the saints for help?

Saints are believed to be divinely connected with God, like a direct line. So we pray to them to ask them to ask God to help us, or pray to God for us, we believe God can do some miracles, through the saints. For a Catholic, the Saints are very much alive and in heaven, and just as you would ask a friend to pray for you, you can ask the saints to pray for you as well. Catholics use the word "pray" in the traditional sense of the word, whereas most protestants use "pray" to be the same thing as worship. Catholics do NOT worship saints.


What is the role of the saints in a church?

In the Catholic Church, saints are examples for Christian living. They are persons in history whose lives exalted the attributes the Church most wishes to promote: charity, dedication, faith, etc. Catholics also believe that the dead are able to pray to God from where they are in the afterlife. Therefor, Catholics will often petition these saints to include them in their prayers. It should be noted that Catholics are not required to pray to saints; they are free to pray only to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit if that is the practice which makes them the most comfortable.Answer:In the Bible, all believers are called Saints. If you believe, you are a saint. Therefore the question is actually what role do Christians play.


What is the role of a saints in a church?

In the Catholic Church, saints are examples for Christian living. They are persons in history whose lives exalted the attributes the Church most wishes to promote: charity, dedication, faith, etc. Catholics also believe that the dead are able to pray to God from where they are in the afterlife. Therefor, Catholics will often petition these saints to include them in their prayers. It should be noted that Catholics are not required to pray to saints; they are free to pray only to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit if that is the practice which makes them the most comfortable.Answer:In The Bible, all believers are called Saints. If you believe, you are a saint. Therefore the question is actually what role do Christians play.


Do Catholics pray to statues?

No, Catholics do not pray to statues. Catholics pray to God, Jesus, and ask Saints to pray for them.