Prayers to the Saints

The saints are all the human beings who have reached heaven. They enjoy the beatific vision, seeing, directly and intuitively, God in his essence. They behold in God all that they ought to know about themselves and about their glory. Now, it is part of their glory to assist others, and help them serve God and reach heaven. Thus the saints cooperate with God; thus they are made godlike. Butthe saints cannot assist others unless they know these others and understand their needs. Therefore, the saints know in God the devotions, prayers, and promises of people on earth who pray tothe saints.

It is right to pray to the saints for their aid. We pray for one another here on earth. St. Paul, great apostle as hewas, asked humbly for prayers (Rom. 15:30). Our brethren with Godin heaven are in far better position to offer our petitions to him than are our brethren on earth. Besides, the Church prays to the saints, as, for example, in the solemn Litany of the Saints.

The prayers of the saints for us are effective. The saints pray in complete conformity with God’s most loving will towards us, and they ask favors for us according to that will. Thus, their prayers are always granted.