Religion 08: Communion of Saints

1. Religion 08: Communion of Saints

2. Prior Questions • Why do we pray to saints? Shouldn’t we pray to God alone? • There’s a difference between worship and prayer • Catholics do not worship saints. • We ask saints to pray for us • Not praying to a saint

3. Are we praying to dead people? • No. These people may have died on Earth, but they are alive in Heaven. • Jesus: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob … not the God of the dead but of the living. (Matthew 22: 29) • (St. Luke's Gospel 20:38 adds "for to him all are alive" or "for all live unto him") • “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” • (John 11:24)

4. St. Anthony (Patron saint of lost things) • So I’m praying that St. Anthony will help me find my missing iPod … • St. Anthony acts as an advocate. He takes the prayers to God “in person” • He can go to the very throne of God

5. Prior Questions cont’d • But why not pray to Jesus directly???? • Every day, we’ve prayed for the sick/suffering, people who are travelling, and “for each other”, “to have a good day” • Praying for others is what Christians do! • Strengthens the community • These other people could pray directly to Jesus, but we pray for them also • Kind of like signing a petition (cafeteria example) • Although we (humans) are all equal in the eyes of God, those in direct union with Him (in heaven) have more influence • JER 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people.”

6. Hail Mary, full of grace • “Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners” • We ask Mary to pray for us. Mary is Jesus’ mother and has a lot of clout!

7. How does one become a saint? • Coming up soon … 4 step process.

8. Review • We are called to be like Jesus • Can’t do everything he did, but we should try to be true to ourselves and to our relationship with God • Communion of Saints: All the faithful (living or dead) are connected. We are all part of the body of Christ • Even people who have died are still connected to us. • People who have died still have influence over Earthly affairs!!! • Stadium example

9. Death • An end to Earthly life, but the beginning of everlasting life • We become closer to God and to all those who are with God • Death does not separate our community. • Someone who has died is now closer to God (and has everlasting life). They are stillable to influence what happens on Earth.

10. Saints • Human beings who have lived holy lives in obedience to God’s will • Saints are not born saints. They are not perfect or sinless. They come from ordinary families. • While on one is perfect, some are on the road to sainthood

11. Intercession • An intercession is asking members of the communion of saints in Heaven to pray to God on your behalf (or on the behalf of others) • We do this every morning! (St Peter etc.)

12. How to become a saint (finally) • 1. Servant of God • When the case is opened for consideration • 2. Venerable • The Vatican counsel determines that you led a life of heroic virtue • You worked aggressively to improve your spirituality. You never gave up trying to better yourself and grow in holiness. • 3. Beatification • After the church establishes one miracle, it is presented to the Pope to see if the person is worthy of being called a saint • Once a person is beatified, they’re known as “Blessed” • 4. Canonization • Another miracle, and the cause is presented for judgment

13. Miracles • Miracles that occur either before or after death are necessary in becoming a saint • God acts through saints to perform miracles around them • Saints are role models of the faith. • Worthy of being imitated • If God grants them the ability to perform miracles, then even He is saying “take notice of these people!” • 1 Cor 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (Paul)

14. Miracles during life • Levitation • The person levitates into the air (often during prayer) • Ex: St. Francis Xavier • Bilocation • The person appears in two places (far apart) at once • Ex: Padre Pio • Stigmata • The person’s body has the five wounds of Christ. These wounds will often bleed during mass or feast day, then stop • Ex: St. Francis of Assisi

15. Miracles after death • Incorruptibility • Long after death, the person’s body is found free of decay when exhumed from the grave • Ex: St. Bernadette of Soubirous • Liquefaction • The dried blood of the person liquefies on the feast day • Ex: St Januarius • Odor of Sanctity • The body of the person has a sweet aroma like roses, instead of smelling like decay • Ex: St Therese of Lisieux

16. Patron Saints • Chosen as protectors and guardians over life • There are patron saints of occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, specific causes • Popes have names patron saints, but they can be chosen by individuals/groups as well • Often chosen because of an interest/talent/event in the saints life that overlaps in a certain area • Can help us follow the example of their life • Can also help us through intercession when we pray to them

17. Ex: Saint Francis of Assisi loved nature, and is therefore the patron saint of ecologists • Ex: Saint Francis de Sales was a writer, and is the patron saint of journalists

18. Relics • Relics are the material remains of a deceased saint or martyr and objects closely associated with those remains • Can be entire skeletons, but usually are a part of the body (bone, piece of hairs, tooth) • Pieces of clothing worn by deceased saint • Objects that has come in contact with a relic

19. Classification of Relics • First Class Relics – item is directlyassociated with the events of Christ’s life or the physical remains of a saint • Second Class Relics- item that the saint wore, owned or used often • Third Class Relics – object that is touched by a First Class Relic

20. We are successful when we develop & share the gifts and talents that God has given for the benefit of all people. We are called to follow Jesus’ example of loving generously and unselfishly