Top 50 Saints for Sickness
Bess writes: Roman Catholics believe that the saints – holy men and women declared by the Church to be exceptional for their virtuous lives and a model for mortals to follow – can help those who request their intercession on earth. So there are saints for hairdressers and for hospital workers, journalists, gardeners, hotel-keepers and just about any profession going. And as our list below shows, there are patron saints for virtually every kind of illness too. This is the Faith Central list of the top 50 saints for the sick. If you have any other suggestions for our list, please do write in to faithcentral@thetimes.co.uk.
1. For abdomen pains pray to St Charles Borromeo , a nephew of Pope Pius V and key figure in the 16th century Catholic counter-reformation who improved the morals of the clergy and allegedly attempted to feed 60,000 – 70,000 people a day during the 1576 famine and plague.
2. To alleviate chest pain try St Bernadine of Siena who, by the age of 20, was running his local hospital. When other hospital workers succumbed to plague, St Bernardine ended up in sole charge. He needed two years to recover from exhaustion afterwards. Then he became a preacher allegedly attracting audiences of up to 30,000 to hear his sermons. He's also the patron saint of gamblers and those with lung complaints.
3. For Inflammatory diseases and kidney troubles pray to St Benedict. The founder of Western monasticism, and patron saint of Europe, St Benedict is famous for his “rule” on how to live in a religious community. Written in the 6th century specifically for life in a religious community, the "rule" has been adapted as a guide to family life and how to run a modern business. St Benedict's medal is said to offer protection against the Devil.
4. Stiff necked? Pray to St Urscinius of Saint Ursannne, a 7th century missionary in Switzerland who detested wine and those who tried to serve it to him.
5. Got an uncontrollabe twitch? Pray to St Bartholomew. He's also the patron saint of bookbinders, butchers, cobblers, leather workers, nervous diseases, neurological diseases, plasterers, shoemakers, tanners and trappers. Bartholomew, one of Christ’s 12 apostles, is said to have preached in India and Armenia before his beheading.
6. St Aloysius Gonzaga is the patron saint of Aids sufferers. A Jesuit who caught the plague while tending victims in a hospital in Rome, Gonzaga died aged 23 in 1591.
7. Struggling with drink? St John of God is the patron saint of those with alcohol problems.
Committed to a mental hospital for beating himself in public in repentance for sin,
St John was visited by a preacher, Blessed John of Avila, who advised him to care for others in need rather than inflict hardships upon himself. Until his death in 1550, John of God worked among the poor.
8. Another patron saint for alcoholics is St Martin of Tours. A reluctant soldier in the 4th century who refused prize booty from the Roman emperor, St Martin became a monk and was tricked into becoming a bishop, at the demand of the people of Tours, who lured him into the city saying he was needed to help a sick person. Famous for allegedly slashing his cloak in half to give one half to a beggar whom he later saw in a dream as Christ, St Martin is also the patron saint of horses.
9. And a third holy helper for alcoholics is St Monica, the Christian mother of St Augustine who prayed relentlessly for his conversion in the 4th century while he enjoyed the pagan high life.
10. Angina sufferers can pray to St Swithbert, the 7th century Northumbrian who took part in a evangelising trip to Holland with St Willibrod and later founded a monastery on an island on the Rhine.
11. And for apoplexy (strokes) try St Wolfgang. According to legend, this 10th century German bishop forced the devil to help him build a church. Sometimes he is painted holding an axe, a reference to a story that seeking a solitary spot to worship God, he threw his axe into a thicket in a wood, and regarded the place where it landed as divine indication of the spot he should build his hermit’s cell.
12. Those stricken with arthritis might try St Alphonsus of Ligouri. The founder of the Redemptorists, he wrote a famous work on moral theology in the 18th century, and tried to resist being made a bishop. In old age, Alphonsus apparently suffered poor sight and terrible rheumatism and was tricked by his followers into signing a document changing their rule.
13. For bowel problems try St Bonaventure. This 13th century theologian was allegedly healed from a childhood sickness by praying to St Francis of Assisi.
14. Women with Breast cancer might want to pray to St Agatha, a Sicilian imprisoned in a brothel for a month in the 3rd century by a wealthy admirer frustrated that Agatha had resisted him. According to legend, she was subsequently tortured and her breasts were cut off and placed on a plate. She is also prayed to for protection against fire: her intercession is said to have prevented, at one stage, the eruptions of Mount Etna.
15. If you have broken bones try St Drogo. A Flemish saint who lived in the 12th century, Drogo was so deformed by an illness that local people were said to be terrified by him. So he lived out of sight in a tiny cell attached to a church.
16. While for burns turn to St John the Apostle. The “beloved disciple” of Christ, John was famed for purifying water, allegedly driving out demons and for surviving when the Roman Emperor Dometian had him beaten, poisoned, and thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. Afterwards, he went to live on Patmos.
17. For cancer pray to St Peregrine Laziosi a priest who in the 13th century imposed a penance on himself of standing whenever it was not necessary to sit. Eventually he got cancer of the foot, when medical treatment failed, he was told his foot would need to be amputated. The night before the operation, Peregrine prayed before a crucifix and, while asleep, allegedly had a vision of Jesus leaving the cross and touching his cancerous leg. When he awoke his leg was cured and he is said to have lived for another 20 years.
18. The patron saint of colic is St Erasmus or Elmo who had hot iron hooks stuck in his stomach on the orders of the Roman emperor Diocletian, but miraculously endured them. Blue lights seen at mastheads prior to and after a storm are called “St Elmo’s Fire” and traditionally seen as a sign of his protection.
19. The patron saints of deafness is St Francis de Sales. Bishop of Geneva and a prolific 16th century writer, Francis was famed for his gentle approach to evangelising. He said “a spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.”
20. The patron saint for depression is St Benedict Joseph Labre. An 18th century mendicant known as the “Beggar of Rome” Benedict dressed in rags, and lived in the Colosseum sharing his food with the poor. Also patron of the homeless.
21. St Lucy, whose eyes were removed on the orders of the Roman emperor Diocletian, is patron of the blind.
22. And St Clare, a lifelong friend of St Francis of Assisi, is the patron saint of those with eye problems. She is also patron saint of television due to a legend that unable to attend Mass with St Francis of Assisi in the 13th century she miraculously observed the liturgy on her cell wall.
23. For dizzy spells turn to St Ulric a 10th century German saint, who is also patron of pregnant women. Those who drank from his chalice were said to be guaranteed easy deliveries, while his cross was said to cure those bitten by rabid dogs.
24. Drug addicts can ask for the help of St Maxmilian Kolbe a Franciscan who volunteered to take the place of Jewish husband and father selected for the gas chambers of Auschwitz in 1941. He is also patron saint of journalists.
25. Eczema sufferers and those with skin problems in general can ask for the help of St Antony the Abbot. Also known as Anthony the Eygptian, he founded desert monasticism in the 3rd century and is often depicted with a pig, as pork was occasionally used to reduce inflammation or itching of the skin.
26. St Willibrod is the patron saint for epileptics. An 8th century bishop, Willibrod died in Luxemburg where he is remembered in an annual procession in which participants hold hands and hop on one leg to the basilica which contains his remains.
27. For earache pray to St Polycarp of Smyrna. A second century martyr, Polycarp is said to have predicted he would be burned to death, after dreaming of a pillow in flames. When cast into the fire, the 86-year-old bishop was said to have glowed golden like baking bread.
28. Feverish? Try St Genevieve, a 5th century saint who told Parisians they could avert slaughter by the surging hordes of Attila the Hun by prayer and fasting. Often depicted with a loaf of bread to symbolise her generosity to the hungry.
29. Suffering from gallstones? Pray to St Liborius, the 4th century bishop of Le Mans, who is patron of Paderborn. He is often shown either with a peacock or carrying a book with small stones on it.
30.For hangovers, pray to St Bibiana, a 4th century Roman scourged to death. In the garden of the church built over her grave, a herb grew which was reputed to cure headaches and epilepsy.
31.Headache sufferers can pray to the 16th century Spaniard, St Teresa of Avila. She founded convents of Reformed Carmelites and wrote three spiritual bestsellers, but initially struggled as a nun to resist temptations to gossip in the convent parlour. A paralysing sickness for which she prayed to St Joseph for a cure, is said to have radically transformed her spiritual journey.
32. The patron saint for hernias is St Alban of Mainz, a 5th century missionary beheaded while praying. A church was built at his graveside.
33. Feeling hopeless? Ask for help from St Jude, one of the 12 apostles who is associated with desperate cases because the Epistle he wrote to the Churches in the East, ( it is in the New Testament) speaks of the need to preserve in faith in difficult circumstances.
34. Another alternative for the desperate is St Rita of Cascia the 16th century Italian housewife who is also patron saints of parents and those who are infertile. She was pressured into marrying a cruel man eventually murdered in a brawl. Afterwards she became a nun famous for tending the sick.
35. Jaundice sufferers may pray to St Odilo an 11th century abbot of Cluny whose relics were burned “on the alter of the fatherland” in the French Revolution
36. Bad knees? St Roch is your man. Born in 1295 with a birthmark on his chest in the shape of a red cross, St Roch was said to be able to cure plague victims by making the sign of the cross. In the 15th century, public processions were held in his honour in Constance during an outbreak of plague, which according to legend, subsequently ceased.
37. St Giles is the patron saint of the disabled. Giles, who died in the 8th century, was shot in the leg with an arrow by huntsman who misaimed while chasing a deer. Hugely popular in England where many hospitals and churches were devoted to him, Giles was one of the '14 holy helpers’ a group of saints prayed to for recovery from illness and spiritual strength at the hour of death.
38.The patron of mental illness is St Dympna, the daughter of a 7th century Irish chieftain maddened by grief when his wife died. He decided to marry the teenage Dympna who ran away from home, and beheaded 15 of the friends she sought refuge with before killing her too.
39. The patron saint of migraine sufferers is St Gereon known as the “Golden Saint”. He was a soldier who was beheaded in 4th century Cologne for refusing to sacrifice to pagan Gods to ensure victory in battle.
40. The patron saint of neuralgia is St Ubald Baldassini an Italian bishop who died in 1168 and was said to have great power over evil spirits
41. The patron saint of polio sufferers is St Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun who had visions in the 17th century of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They inspired her to pray lying face down on the floor for an hour on the first Friday of every month in memory of Christ’s agony when abandoned by his apostles in the garden of Gethsemene.
42. The patron saint of those with rheumatism is St Coloman. An 11th century monk accused of being a spy while on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Coloman was captured and killed near Vienna during conflicts between Austria and Moravia. Speaking no German he could not defend himself, and was hanged alongside robbers, but the scaffold on which he died is said to have taken root in the ground and grown branches.
43. The patron saint of childbirth is St Gerard Majella, an 18th century Italian falsely accused of impregnating a woman. He said nothing, she retracted the claim.
44. For a stomach upset pray to St Timothy, the apostle who worked with St Paul, and was appointed by him to represent the Church in Ephesus. One of Paul’s most frequently quoted lines was addressed to him: “Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Timothy 5:23).
45. Bad toothache? Pray to St Apollonia. The patron saint of dentists, victim of a 2nd century anti-Christian mob in Alexandria who knocked out her teeth.
46. Bad throat? Ask for the help of St Blaize. A 3rd century bishop in Armenia, St Blaize is said to have miraculously commanded a child with a fish bone stuck in his throat to cough up the bone. Also patron of English wool combers, as he was suspended from a tree and his flesh torn with iron combs for his refusal to worship pagan Gods.
47. St Thérèse of Lisieux is the patron saint of tuberculosis sufferers. Known as “the little Flower,” and also patron of the Missions, St Therese said “to pick up a pin for love can convert a soul". She died aged 24 of tuberculosis
48. St Adalard is the patron saint for those afflicted with typhus and typhoid. A cousin of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne he became a monk and served as prime minister to Charlemagne’s son Pepin in Italy. Involved in the political struggles of the royal family, he spent seven years in exile, and is also the patron of French churches and towns.
49. The patron saint of VD sufferers is St Fiacre. He's also patron saint for those sick with
haemorrhoids, as well as gardeners and French cab drivers. An Irish priest, Fiacre lived as a hermit in France where he was said have cured many diseases.
50. St Lazarus, the patron saint of lepers, appears in the New Testament parable told by Christ of a begger excluded from a rich man’s feast, who is given the place of honour in a banquet in heaven after his death, while the rich man is excluded. The 12th century order of St Lazarus was manned by knights with leprosy who cared for the sick but had military duties. They founded a leper’s hospital in Jersualem.
As someone who grew up in the RCC; I'm more then familiar with Catholic Teachings and beleifs.
With all due respect to Catholic faithful on this blog..let me show Our beloved Catholic friends what The Bible teaches regarding this subject;
First...Jesus Christ is the Only mediator/intercessor between God and man. Therefore he is the only one who can hear or answer all prayer requests. He is on call 24/7 365 he hears them all
I Timothy 2 v 5; "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men; the man Christ Jesus".
Secondly; The deceased cannot hear prayers or have any power to answer them..they are dead.
Ecclesiastes 9 v 4 to 6; "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better then a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die but the dead know anything neither gave they any more a reward for the memory of them is forgotton. Also their love and their hatred and their envy is now perished; neither have they any a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun." amen.
So Where did these beleifs come from?
PAGANISM.. In ancient Rome..Greece..Etc Their were vairious "Gods" To pray unto for certain ailments. The RCC "borrowed" this idea and inserted it into their belief system.
The Bible makes it crystal clear; God gets all The Glory..Receives All Prayers..Gives out Bessings..Healings. Why would God need "Helpers"??
John 4 v 24; "God is a Spirit and those who worship him MUST worship him in Spirit and in TRUTH." Amen.
Posted by: Rick Beekman | 14 Aug 2008 16:39:07
Rick, I think you should pray most earnestly to St`Jude. If ever there was a hopeless case, you are it, man.
Read Karl Keating's "Catholicism and Fundamentalism" and you might begin to understand just why Catholics pray to the saints. At the moment, what you 'believe' about our faith is just garbage. It would also help if you switched off Mr Jack Thomas Chick. That paranoid frenetic is just poisoning your mind with somebody else's cartoons.
Since I don't regard you as any sort of authority on the Scriptures, I don't pay the slightest attention to your Bible-thumping. Save it for the more credulous posters on this blog.
Posted by: Geoffrey Smith | 14 Aug 2008 19:45:25
Ste. Theresa is also the patron saint for AIDS sufferers. St. Crispin for shoemakers and cobblers (memorised in the name for a particular hammer with a patterned face to it (Crispin Hammer).
I'm sorry the previous poster left the RCC without an appreciation for the work of saints. I am NOT RCC, nor have I ever been, but I do feel saints can have a very positive effect both in one's inner life, and in prayer. Just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it doesn't help others.
Posted by: Lynda | 15 Aug 2008 00:24:57
You actually buy that load of old dingoes' kidneys? But hey, when you have faith who needs proof? However, when I suggest you Bible humpers grow up, mature and shake of this pernicious Medieval BS, I’m the one being offensive. Those old frauds in the Vatican must be pinching themselves and saying, “We got away with it again.” Never give a sucker an even break, and never wise up a chump. So who is the patron saint of BS? Lot of candidates for that role I venture to suggest.
Posted by: Andrew Milner | 15 Aug 2008 08:21:10
Lynda;
Couple of quick Questions;
#1 Do you believe you can receive any help from a dead person?
#2 Do you believe a deceased person can hear and converse with the living and God allows it?
If you do perhaps you should consider reading the story in the Bible told by Jesus. He tells us about a rich man who lived lavishly and a poor beggar who only was allowed the crumbs off the table. The rich man went to hell and the beggar went to heaven. the man in hell was in torments and asked Abraham if he just come down and touch his parched tongue with a few drops of water. Then he requested if he could go back and warn his family about this horrible place..The answer was "No" to both requests (Book of Luke). The Bible also sez this; "And as it is appointed unto men once to die..and after this the Judgement"
Once you leave this walk of life communication with your family..friends..loved ones ceases.
To believe any different is to be an Un-Beleiver and rebellious to God's word.
Posted by: Rick Beekman | 15 Aug 2008 21:45:36
Geoffrey;
My My aren't we getting Testy!!
What's Jack Chick got to do with my post? I quoted one thing out of a book written in 1850 regarding the pagan practices in Babylon. That Book can be ordered from several sourses not just from Chick Geoff.
I know your a die-hard Catholic so are others on here as well. As long as I stay with scriptures why get upset? Christians are supposed to learn and follow "The Book". The reason God wants us to study the scriptures is so you can't be deceived what is wrong with that? Have a Great and Blessed Weekend...
Posted by: Rick Beekman | 15 Aug 2008 22:20:21
Andrew, your Atheistic ramblings are best supported elsewhere. You were born at the wrong place and the wrong time. But hey, since science is very appealing to many Atheists, why not build a time-machine and go back some 60 years to Albania? I bet you would have loved it. Afterall, it killed millions in the name of Communism and confessed itself to be the world's first Atheist country.
Posted by: Lukas | 16 Aug 2008 10:49:08
"Christians are supposed to learn and follow "The Book".
- Rick Beekman, 15 AUG 2008, 22:20:21
No they are not, Rick! They are supposed to learn and follow the teaching of the Catholic Church, established by Christ to preach the Gospel to every creature. The Church pre-dated the Bible by almost 400 years, so how do you think all those Christians managed to learn the faith without a book to guide them? They had the Apostles and their successors to teach them, by word of mouth. In other words, the Church.
"The reason God wants us to study the scriptures is so you can't be deceived".
- op. cit.
So why aren't you an Episcopalian? Or a Jehovah's Witness? They both claim to have studied the Scriptures and to have arrived at a knowledge of its truth. According to them, you are the one who has been deceived, not they.
Let's face it, Rick. Without the Catholic Church, you have nothing but a book and literally thousands of Christian sects all claiming to be the true exponent of the Word of God. Only the original, the Catholic Church, the Church of the Apostles, can vindicate this claim. All the rest are pale imitations.
Say a prayer to St Peter, Rick. He was the first Pope. He will ask Our Lord on your behalf to grant you the wisdom to see the error of your ways. Have a nice day, pal!
Posted by: Geoffrey Smith | 16 Aug 2008 13:37:10
The Pope was born on the Feast of St Benedict Joseph Labre. Joseph Ratzinger waited a long time to be also called Benedict. Both the Pope and his heavenly patron live[s/d] in Rome- each in rather different circumstances.
Posted by: Chris Gillibrand | 16 Aug 2008 13:52:38
St Bartholomew was skinned alive, poor man, not beheaded. In scripture he is also called Nathaniel.
I am a retired zookeeper, so I have learned and am happy to share the following:
The patron of cat lovers is St Gertrude of Nimes. St Anthony is patron saint of pet pigs. St Vincent of Sarogossa is patron of those who keep ravens. St Nicholas of Tolentino is patron of vegetarians and birds: once served a roast fowl, he made the sign of the cross over it and it was restored to life and flew out the window. St Francis of course is the patron of animals and birds in general.
Posted by: R. W. | 16 Aug 2008 19:04:04
St Anthony, according to my Mother (an RC), is also the patron saint of finding things which have been lost. She taught all the family (mostly CofE) to pray to him for help in finding anything which had been lost - and, sooner or later (usually sooner)the missing item(s) would be found, often in places which had already been thoroughly searched.
Posted by: Rodney Owen | 16 Aug 2008 21:21:46
Geoffrey;
So you are telling us Christians are NOT supposed to Study the Scriptures..Just listen to what the RCC teaches???
Geoff here's a Dose of reality;
John 5 v 39; "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES; for in them ye think you have eternal life; and they they are they which testify of me" (Jesus commanded that).
Next; Acts 17 v 2 "And (Apostle) Paul as his manner was went into them three sabbath days reasoned with them OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES".
Next; Acts 17 v 11 "These were more noble then those at Thessalonica in that They received the Word with all readiness of mind AND SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY whether these things were so".
Finally; Joshua in the OT commanded the children of Israel to read and study the scriptures EVERYDAY (365)! Joshua 1 v 8 & 9.
So Geoff my Good man your Church tries to convince everyone That since Bibles were not printed until centuries later that They (RCC) have all the info..Ha Ha!!
They claim to be The Church of Jesus Christ with Apostolic Sucession is That correct Geoff?
Well I guess they forgot to obey what Apostle Peter (The First Pope?) told everyone gathered at rhe first Christian conversion service...
Acts 2 v 37 " Now when they heard this..they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles; men and brethren WHAT SHALL WE DO"?
Now Geoff here comes the key verse on how one must be truly saved..read what your assumed "first pope" told all thes Good people what they MUST do..Acts 2 v 38; "Then Peter said unto them REPENT and be baptized everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost". amen
Does the RCC teach their followers this? if not why? don't they believe what their "First pope" taught? Did he lie to these Folks? Since all the other Apostles were present at that service also if Peter was wrong why don't we ever read where they jumped up and stopped Peter??
How come Paul taught the exact same thing? (Acts 19 v 1 to 7)
Peter again in Acts 10 v 46 to 48!!
So Geoff what have you now learned? Let's review the facts..
(A) No Bible was needed in the early centuries since copy after copy of the original manuscripts were used to preach God's word.
(B)That even in the OT the manuscruptswere used also to teach God's word as it states in Joshua 1 v 8 & 9.
(C) The RCC does not teach the exact teachings set forth in The original church as you just read in Acts chapter Two.
(D)Peter was never a "Pope"
(E)And if you will finally read the warning Apostle Paul gives the Original Church (Galatians 1 v 6 to 9) you will see he was very adament we believe only what the Original Apostles taught.
Search the scriptures as Jesus commands Geoff...have a great and pleasant day..
Posted by: Rick Beekman | 16 Aug 2008 22:01:56
You forgot the patron saint of diabetes - St Pancras.
Posted by: sweetalkinguy | 17 Aug 2008 02:51:58
Saints in heaven are not dead, they are alive! We are all one in the body of Christ. We are not really praying "to" them either, we are asking them for intercession, just ask you might ask a friend or sibling to pray for you.
God can do anything, even involve the saints in heaven with our prayers.
Posted by: Andre Benassi | 17 Aug 2008 20:58:03
I am a Catholic, and I am fond of certain saints whose lives I have read or whose shrines I have visited, but long lists of ailments and "appropriate" but often rather obscure saints make me queasy. I would rather just pray to Jesus and receive Him in Holy Communion than bet on a lot of saints I know little about. It seems to me that the above multi-multi-saint approach can easily tip over into superstition, rather than trusting in God Himself.
Posted by: Bernard O'Callaghan | 18 Aug 2008 12:52:49
Thank you, Andre, for the best post yet on this thread. The saints in Heaven, the souls in Purgatory and we on earth are all members of the Mystical Body of Christ, helping each other with our prayers. Our patron saints especially are most effective, but even they rejoice when we eventually die and join them in the Kingdom of God.
Posted by: Geoffrey Smith | 18 Aug 2008 19:25:19
..Seems Bernard O' Callaghan Stated The most truthful Statement "I'd rather Pray to Jesus" You said the correct thing my Irish Brother.
"Mystical body of Christ" has it's roots in the word "Mysticism".
Praying to dead people and beleiving they can hear and intercede on anyone's behalf...Is a MYTH.
Posted by: Rick Beekman | 19 Aug 2008 15:06:05
"Praying to dead people and believing they can hear and intercede on anyone's behalf...is a MYTH".
- Rick Beekman, 19 AUG 2008, 15:06:05
In Rev.5:8, John depicts the saints in Heaven offering our prayers to God under the form of "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people". If the saints in Heaven are offering our prayers to God, then they must be aware of them. It is clear from Rev.5:8 that the saints in Heaven do actively intercede for us. Any other interpretation of this Scripture is erroneous.
Posted by: Geoffrey Smith | 19 Aug 2008 16:35:05
Bernard O'Callaghan; you make good sense much more than the Catholic and Protestant chest thumpers you meet on these boards...good on ya.
Posted by: Kevin Morgan | 19 Aug 2008 17:12:24
In actual practice, Bernard O'Callaghan, Catholics do not pray to a 'multi-multi' calendar of saints, as you well know. We all have our personal favourites, few in number, and so there is no danger of any lapse into superstition. Praying 'to' a particular saint means praying 'to' one of God's friends, trusting that God will listen to him/her acting on our behalf.
Posted by: Geoffrey Smith | 19 Aug 2008 19:00:25
"Praying to the Saints" has no real risk of becoming idolatry. These are special people who can become quite good friends. Some are easier to get to know than others. But the sense that there is a real person there is very distinct. Just as you might have living friends, so it can be with those who have died. For those of you who doubt this, try it sometime. It is also useful to pray for the poor souls in Purgatory. This is a marvelous act of faith because we cannot see the direct effect of our actions. That is my favorite devotion. I try to do it everyday.
Posted by: Tony Francis | 19 Aug 2008 22:17:26
Geoffrey;
Let us review Rev 5 v 8; "And when he had taken the book..the four beast and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb (Jesus..The Lamb of God)having everyone of them harps and golden vials full of odors WHICH ARE THE PRAYERS OF SAINTS."
Geoff where in that verse does it state; "....The prayers of the Saints in HEAVEN"???
Geoffrey; As I have stated before.."Saints" according to The Bible (Catholic or whatever Bible)tells us "Saints" are EVERY MEMBER of the true Church of Jesus Christ..And not some "Selected" individual "Cherry-picked" by the RCC and beholden to Special Honor and Recognition as The RCC teaches.
PROOF?
Apostle Paul Addressed the Churches in this manner;
Romans 1 v 7 "To all that be in Rome CALLED TO BE SAINTS;......"
I Corinthians 1 v 2; "Upon the church which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus CALLED TO BE SAINTS....."
Ephesians 1 v 1 "Paul an apostle of Jesus by the will of God to THE SAINTS Which are at Ephesus...."
Philippians 1 v 1 "Paul and Timothy the servants of Jesus Christ to ALL THE SAINTS in Christ Jesus Which are at Philippi..."
Saints are Everyone in the true Church That's who's Prayers are Mentioned in Rev 5 v 8.
Saints are Alive NOT DEAD Geoffrey when they are called "Saints". I also told you The Intercession of Prayer From A living Person is to be to Jesus Only...Not A Dead Person Who Can't hear..help..Or have any Power to take prayers. This is nothing more then an RCC doctrine "Borrowed" from The Pagan prayers to various Dieties to intercede to help them..It is PAGAN not Christian Geoff....Blessings
Posted by: Rick Beekman | 20 Aug 2008 16:55:43
Saint worship = Glorified polytheism!
Posted by: bill | 21 Aug 2008 12:37:05
Usually I find that praying to St Trufflehunter the badger produces adequate intercession with Aslan for me.
Posted by: e skelton | 22 Aug 2008 13:07:56
Geoff;
Rev.5 v 8 Talks about The Saints On earth not the dead ones.
Apostle Paul addressed All the members of The True Church he visited as "Saints"
Read all the following;
Romans 1 V 7
I Corinthians 1 v 2
Ephesians 1 v 1
Philippians 1 v 1.
As I said in my original Post (#1) The Rcc Borrowed this idea from Pagan Culture. In Rome In Greece..In Egypt..Babylon People who pray to Their "Gods" to help with this problem or that. God Knows all and sees All Jeff He does'nt need "Assistants" to help him. He's on call 24/7 365. No Vacations..Try him only.
Posted by: Rick Beekman | 22 Aug 2008 21:00:05