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Why do Catholics pray to saints when they can go straight to God? Catholics ask the saints to mediate for them. One reason is that the saints are closer to God then we are here on earth. Let us say there is a job you want in a certain company and you know someone who is a friend of the Boss who is hiring. Would you go directly to the Boss or would you rather your friend speak about you to the Boss first? How about another example, there is always that certain person you know, whether it be your pastor, priest, or friend, whom you always feel that their prayers are stronger for what ever reason, and when you ask them to pray for your important need, you feel a confidence that God will surely hear your request now. This is the same reasoning that Catholics use when they ask a saint to help them pray for a certain intention. You know that the saints prayers are a lot stronger than your own because they are perfected and in Heaven with God.
Catholics Worship saints? Just because saints are very special in the Catholic Church does not mean that they are worshiped. Catholics do not worship saints. A saint is someone who has lived their life so perfectly in the service of God that they changed others around them while they were alive on earth. Their example was exemplary. If their life was so exemplary on earth, they can only be perfected to the utmost in heaven. Catholics do ask saints for intercessory prayers. For example, if your dad is dying, you may ask members of your church to pray for him. Why is this accepted? Why can we ask others to pray for us on earth, but cannot ask those who are far more perfect than us mortals, to pray for us in heaven? Ok, I know what you are going to say…there is no one in heaven. Again, this is not true; let us look at some more Bible verses to get to the truth.
Lk 23: 43 - Jesus said to the good thief: And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Looks like someone is up there with Jesus…)
Lk 9:29-30 - Peter, James, and John accompanied Jesus: And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias. (Hey, what are Moses and Elias doing…they are supposed to be dead!)
Everyone is called to be a saint and we must work very hard in perfecting our faults and loving our neighbors. What could possibly be wrong with having perfected role models in heaven?
Why do Catholics have Relics of Saints? Many miracles and cures are attributed to relics, not because they have a power of their own, but because of the holiness of the individual they represented. Let us look at several Bible verses:
(Mt. 9:20-21;22) - And behold, a woman which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment....and the woman was made whole from that hour. (It was not the garment that made this woman well but the holiness of Jesus).
(Mt. 9:20-21;22) - ...And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
(Acts 19:11-12) - And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
(Acts 5:15-16) - Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them (Even Peter's shadow was enough to heal those who were sick. It was not Peter that healed those in which his shadow was cast, but it was God working through Peter).
Why do Catholics say the Rosary? The rosary is a prayer and meditation on the life of Christ. The early Christians did not have Bibles and by saying the Rosary they were meditating on Christ's life. The actual Rosary beads merely assist the individual reciting the prayer to help keep track of where they are in the meditation. The Rosary consists of three mysteries. Prayer's recited are:
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES: The Annunciation (Lk. 1:30-31); The Visitation (Lk 1:42); The Birth of Jesus (Lk. 2:7); The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Lk. 1:22); The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Lk. 2:46)
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES The Agony in the Garden (Mk.14:32); The Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar (Mk. 15:15); Jesus Crowned with Thorns (Mk. 15:17); Jesus Carries his Cross (Jn. 19:17); The Crucifixion (Mk. 15:24)
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES The Resurrection of Jesus (Mt. 28:5-6); The Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:9); The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2); The Assumption of Mary in Heaven (1 Thes. 4:14); The Crowning of Mary (Rev. 12:1)
The prayers of the Rosary consist of the following:
SIGN OF THE CROSS
(Mt. 28:19) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
APOSTLES CREED
(Summary of Belief) I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead, and was buried. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of they body, and life everlasting. Amen
OUR FATHER
(Lk. 11:2) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come; they will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER (Christian Doxology)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
HAIL MARY
(Lk 1:28) Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb (Jesus). (Lk 1:43) Holy Mary, mother of God, (prayer), pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.
Why do you have to include Mary in this meditation of Christ? Because, without Mary we would not have Jesus. Who knew Jesus better than anyone on this earth? Answer: His mother! Who would better help us to concentrate and give us insight on Jesus' life other than his mother? It is through Mary that we are guided to Christ.
Do Catholics have to say the Rosary, will they go to Hell if they don't? No, the Rosary is NOT a mandatory prayer for Catholics and they will not be sent to Hell if they choose not to say this prayer.
