The notion here is that even if my prayer directly to God would not be granted, my prayer to Saint So-and-So to ask the same thing of God on my behalf would achieve its granting (because God favors So-and-So’s requests over mine). Let’s dig into this. Four possibilities:
1. God hears my direct prayer, and His decision to deny my request is presumably in my (or my intended's) best interest (which best interest He has at heart). He changes His mind based on So-and-So’s intercession, and grants me what is not in my or my intended's best interest.
2. God hears my direct prayer, and His decision to deny it is not in my (or my intended’s) best interest (which best interest He has at heart). He changes His mind based on So-and-So’s intercession, and grants me what is in my or my intended's best interest.
3. God hears my direct prayer, and His decision to deny it is neutral, neither in nor against my (or my intended’s) best interest. He changes His mind based on So-and-So’s intercession, and grants my neutral request.
4. God doesn’t hear my prayer. He does, however, hear So-and-So’s prayer.
None of these is really satisfactory, although #3 comes closest.
Also-not my will/boule/thelema be done but Thine--I don't believe So-and-So's intercessory prayers and by this I mean these--no offense.
Major Saints and Their Roles
Mary, Mother of Jesus (The Blessed Virgin Mary)
Role: The most venerated saint in the Catholic Church, often prayed to for intercession, guidance, and help in times of need.
Common Prayers: Hail Mary, The Rosary.
Saint Joseph
Role: Patron saint of workers, fathers, and the universal Church.
Common Prayers: Prayer to Saint Joseph for Protection.
Saint Peter
Role: Considered the first Pope, patron saint of fishermen and the papacy.
Common Prayers: Prayers for the Pope and the Church.
Saint Paul
Role: Apostle to the Gentiles, patron saint of missionaries and theologians.
Common Prayers: Prayers for evangelization and mission work.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Role: Patron saint of animals, the environment, and simplicity.
Common Prayers: Peace Prayer of Saint Francis.
Saint Anthony of Padua
Role: Patron saint of lost items and the poor.
Common Prayers: Prayer to Saint Anthony to Recover Lost Things.
Saint Jude Thaddeus
Role: Patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes.
Common Prayers: Prayer to Saint Jude for Hope in Difficult Times.
Saint Therese of Lisieux (The Little Flower)
Role: Patron saint of missionaries, florists, and the sick.
Common Prayers: The Novena to Saint Therese.
Saint Michael the Archangel
Role: Leader of all angels and the army of God, protector against evil.
Common Prayers: Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel.
Saint Augustine
Role: Patron saint of theologians, brewers, and those who seek conversion.
Common Prayers: Prayers for wisdom and understanding.
Scriptural and Theological Basis
Intercession of Saints: Catholics believe in the communion of saints, which means that all members of the Church, in heaven and on earth, are spiritually united. This is supported by passages like
Revelation 5:8, where the prayers of the saints are presented to God as incense.
Role of Mary: Mary is often given a special place due to her role as the mother of Jesus, reflected in passages such as Luke 1:28, where she is called "full of grace."
Practices
Praying to Saints: This involves asking saints to pray to God on one's behalf. It is not worship, which is due to God alone, but a request for intercession.
Novena: A series of prayers recited over nine days, often directed to a particular saint for a specific intention.
Feast Days: Special days dedicated to celebrating the lives and contributions of saints, often involving specific prayers and masses.
Conclusion
Roman Catholics pray to saints to seek their intercession, believing that saints, being in heaven and close to God, can pray on behalf of the faithful. This practice is rooted in the concept of the communion of saints and supported by scriptural passages that highlight the role of saints in presenting prayers to God.
Interestingly---------
When Martin Luther was almost struck by lightning in 1505, he famously prayed to Saint Anne, who was traditionally venerated as the mother of the Virgin Mary. During the thunderstorm, he is reported to have cried out, "Help me, Saint Anne! I will become a monk!" This vow led him to join an Augustinian monastery and eventually to become a key figure in the Protestant Reformation.
Context and Significance
Saint Anne: Venerated in Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions. She is often invoked as a protector and intercessor, particularly for miners and those in peril.
Luther's Experience: This incident is significant as it marked a turning point in Luther's life, leading him to abandon his studies in law and enter the monastic life, where he later developed his critical views on Church practices and doctrines, sparking the Reformation.
Luther's Transition
Luther's prayer to Saint Anne illustrates the deep religious and cultural context of his time, where invoking saints for protection and intercession was a common practice. However, as he developed his theological positions, he moved away from the veneration of saints, emphasizing direct access to God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This shift was a hallmark of his teachings and played a crucial role in the development of Protestant theology.
Shalom
J.
