Why do Catholics pray to the Saints?

Catholics, like all Christians believe in life after death, of going to heaven to be with God. They believe that those who have lived in the faith of God, will go to heaven to share in His Resurrection.
While we live in this earth we live in Communion with God and with the other members of the Body of Christ . that communion doesn't end in death, so we are still in communion with those that are deemed worthy to be accepted into heaven. Catholics believe that the Saints that are in heaven remain in direct Communion with man on earth. So that is why we approach Saints like we would a friend asking for a favor. The Saints are closer to God and because they are  men, they represent something we can look up to.

Some Non-Catholic Christians believe it is wrong to pray to the Saints. They argue that prayers should be directed to God alone, and not to men. It might be that they are confusing prayer with worship. While we ask Saints to pray for us, we pray to God. While we do pray to Saints, it is asking them to pray for us infront of God, seeing that God is the main object of our Worship. If a Catholic prays, it is asking for help, like strength or his favor to fulfill a task that He might deem good.

We should Never worship another man, because man is not good enough to be worshiped. Worship may take the form of prayer, but prayer is not always worship. Catholics pray to the Saints to help them or to thanks them for something that has been given to them.

The Blessed Trinity

One of the most difficult mysteries to fully comprehend in the Catholic faith is the Blessed Trinity. It is the idea that there is Three Persons in One God. This can be confusing, because if one looks at it literally, then Jesus Christ would not technically be the Son of God, he would in fact be God. Consequently, this is one of the mysteries of the faith that we cannot ever fully come to know as human beings. Our intellect has not fully developed to the point where we can understand such complex ideas as the Holy Trinity.

Even though the Blessed Trinity is so hard to follow and understand in Scripture, it is the main basis that the Catholic Church is founded on, and is the most essential part of Catholicism. Catholics believe that our sins were saved by the freely willing death of the Son of God, therefore, without believing that Jesus Christ was indeed True God and True Man, everything else in Catholicism cannot be true. Also, during the Creation Story God the Father is seen as creating the entire world, but the other two Persons of God can be found as well. The Son is mentioned during the creation of Adam and Eve, and the Holy Spirit is discussed as the entity that watches over creation in a more close up way. Even without being able to fully understand the truth of the Blessed Trinity, I am not going to be a Thomas. I believed in things such as Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny when I was little, things that physically could not be possible. While Thomas could not even find it in himself to believe in the risen savior. Consequently, I believe in the Blessed Trinity 150%, and that is without being able to actually see it, or even come to know it. Do you?

-Timmy Mashinski

What It Takes To Be Catholic

Catholics literally mean "universal." Therefore, the Catholic Church is present around the entire world. Why is the Catholic Church so popular? Centuries upon centuries, the Catholic Church has led nations, governments, and entire continents. Granted, there have been some slip ups, and some poor judgement throughout the history of the Church. However, there has never been an issue with the doctrines of the Church nor has anyone ever been able to shake its sturdy foundations rooted in 1st century Palestine.

Many religions have ways of questioning whether or not Catholicism is the true answer of holiness. Many heresies have been brought up to disregard and to tempt others to fall from the path of the righteous. Overal, the faith was started by a carpenter, who dared to call himself the Son of God. However, if one believes in the fact that the Bible holds truths written inspired by the Holy Spirit, then it is clear that the truths and validity of Catholicism cannot be doubted. Consequently, as a fervent Catholic myself, I believe that there is no other "correct" option besides Catholicism.

To be a true Catholic, one most openly reject Satan as the temptress of darkness, and accept Jesus Christ as our savior and redeemer. Also, one must be prepared to spread the Good News to all the ends of the Earth, just as Jesus asked the Apostles to do 2,000 years ago. Also, one must choose to follow the guidelines of fasting, chastity, and alms giving. All 7 of the Sacraments are to be looked upon as efficacious signs of grace by which we can partake in the Mystical Body of Christ. Lastly, we must be willing to have a true relationship with God, which we work on without doubt and question. The feelings that are generated by Catholicism cannot be paralleled, and I suggest that anyone who the option to join in the faith take full advantage of the opportunity.
-Timmy Mashinski

Prayer in Catholicism

Prayer is a very significant part of Catholicism. There are many different forms of prayer, and many different prayers to pray. There are two main forms: a more direct following of a set prayer and a lenient style of prayer where the individual chooses what to pray about. Personally, I find both of these forms of prayer to be valuable, but when I am alone I like being able to talk to God. Consequently, when I pray at home, I almost always pray by simply communicating to God and asking for his help.

One major benefit of prayer is the gift of fortitude and guidance. I like being able to pray to God to ask for help for both myself, and others as well. During times of struggle prayer can be one of the only and most lasting formulas for happiness. Whenever a loved one dies, everyone is affected by it in their own way. I tried getting over my grief in many different ways, but none of them produced the lasting resulted that I desired. Finally, I decided to turn to God to help with my problems. God not only provided a true method of consolation, but I was also filled with the strength to continue on.

Lastly, the Church teaches that without prayer, we cannot fully have a relationship with God. Everyone desires to know the existence of a higher being in life. However, that desire takes many people into Catholicism, and once one has found true happiness, it is hard to lose that feeling. Therefore, if one wants to continue to feel the warmth that God can provide for us, we will do almost anything to sustain that magical feeling. The biggest way to partake in that feeling, just as it is with any other relationship, is communication. That strong form of communication is simply prayer.
-Timmy Mashinski