Faith Answer: Think of all
Christians as members of one big family. This
family—called the communion of saints—includes
those of us still alive on earth, as well as those
in heaven or in purgatory. Death does not destroy
our spiritual relationship with each other. In
fact, it can intensify the relationship because
our friends and relatives in heaven care for us
very much and can intercede for us before God.
When we pray “to” the saints we are
really asking them to pray with us and for us
to our Lord Jesus, our unique mediator and savior.
All graces and salvation come through him alone.
The saints led heroic lives of holiness on earth.
They gave God great honor when they lived among
us. They continue to inspire us to initiate their
example. When we pray to them for intercession,
we are rejoicing with them. We unite our own prayers
with theirs, praying to Jesus, who takes all of
our petitions to God the Father.
Jesus told of the special power of joining our
prayer to that of others (Mt 18:19-20). The New
Testament frequently instructs us to pray for
each other (e.g. Jas 5:16). Undoubtedly, you have
often asked others to pray for you because you
recognized the spiritual power of several voices
joined in prayer. When you pray with the saints
you show that you firmly believe that our union
with the members of Christ’s family goes
beyond death.
Portions of the answer came from the book, What
we really want to know…Answers to 101 questions
Teens and Young Adults always ask by Michael Pennock.
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