Religion 08: Communion of Saints

1. Religion 08: Communion of Saints

2. Saints • What does it mean when we say that “so and so is a saint”? • What qualities does that person have?

3. Prior Questions • Why do we pray to saints? Shouldn’t we pray to God alone? (write down) • 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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.” • Moses and Samuel were two of the most influential figures in the Bible. What God is seeming to say is that they have more influence.

7. 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!

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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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 no one is perfect, some are on the road to sainthood

12. 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.)

13. 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

14. 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)

15. Miracles during life • Levitation • The person levitates into the air • 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 often bleed during mass, then stop • Ex: St. Francis of Assisi

16. Miracles during 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 • Odor of Sanctity • The body of the person has a sweet aroma like roses, instead of smelling like decay

17. Patron Saints • Chosen as protectors and guardians over life • There are patron saints of occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, specific causes • Often, an interest/talent/event in the saints life overlaps in a certain area • 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 material remains of a deceased saint or martyr, or objects closely associated with those remains • Can be entire skeletons, but more commonly: • A bone, piece of hair, or tooth • Pieces of clothing • Other objects that have come in contact with a relic

19. Relics • First class relic • Items directly associated with the events of Christ’s life OR physical remains or a saint • Manger, cross, bone, piece of hair, limb, etc • Second class relic • An item the saint wore, owned or used often • Sock, shirt, glove, crucifix, a book, etc • Third class relic • Any object that is touched by a first class relic • 1st class ex: Saint Anthony’s tongue