“Why do Catholics pray to saints? Shouldn’t we just pray directly to God?”
This is one of the most common questions Catholics are asked—both by non-Catholics and fellow Christians. At first glance, the practice can seem unusual. But when properly understood, the Catholic devotion to the intercession of the saints is deeply rooted in Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the communal nature of the Body of Christ.
Let’s explore what the Church teaches, how it’s biblically grounded, and how to respond charitably to the most frequent objections.
Table of Contents
What Does It Mean to “Pray to Saints”?
To begin with, Catholics do not worship the saints. Worship—latria—is reserved for God alone. When Catholics say they “pray to” saints, they’re simply asking for their intercession, much like asking a faithful friend on earth to pray for us.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 956) teaches:
“Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness… they do not cease to intercede with the Father for us.”
This intercession stems from our unity in the Communion of Saints, which spans Heaven, Earth, and Purgatory (cf. CCC 946–962). It’s not just a nice idea—it’s a spiritual reality that flows from our baptismal union in Christ.
Is It Biblical to Ask the Saints to Intercede?
Yes—and not only is it biblical, it’s also Christ-centred.
- “Pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.” — James 5:16
- “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf.” — Romans 15:30
Scripture affirms the value of intercessory prayer among believers. But it also gives glimpses of heavenly intercession:
- Revelation 5:8 shows “the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders” offering “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
- For greater clarity, Revelation 8:3–4 adds that an angel offers incense “with the prayers of all the saints” before the throne of God.
These passages show that our prayers reach Heaven—and that those in Heaven actively participate in presenting them to God.
But Isn’t Christ the Only Mediator?
Yes—and we affirm this without compromise.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5
But here’s the nuance: the Church teaches that while Christ is the sole Mediator of redemption, others can share in His mediating role by participating in His Body. St Paul himself urged fellow Christians to pray for him (Romans 15:30) and said we should “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).
The saints are not rivals to Christ—they’re members of His Body, glorified in Heaven, continuing to love, serve, and intercede in perfect union with Him.
Responding to Common Objections
1. “It’s Idolatry to Pray to Anyone but God.”
Idolatry involves giving divine worship to anyone or anything other than God. Catholics do not worship saints. We honour (venerate) them, just as Scripture praises the righteous and holds up their lives as examples of faith (Hebrews 11).
St Paul writes: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 11:1
This is the spirit behind saintly veneration—following those who followed Christ faithfully.
2. “The Saints Are Dead—They Can’t Hear You.”
Christ Himself said: “I am the resurrection and the life… whoever believes in Me shall never die.” — John 11:25–26
The saints are not dead. They are fully alive in Christ, in a state of glory, and more aware of our needs than we are. Jesus affirms: “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” — Luke 20:38
As part of the Church Triumphant, they are deeply concerned with the well-being of the Church on Earth.
3. “Why Not Just Go Straight to God?”
We should—and Catholics do—go directly to God in prayer, every day. But just as we ask our friends, family, or parish community to pray for us, we also turn to the saints.
As Pope Francis teaches:
“Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father on behalf of all men, especially sinners… Intercession is also an expression of fraternal love.” — General Audience, May 16, 2018
Invoking the saints is not spiritual weakness—it’s an act of love and humility, entrusting our needs to those who already stand before the throne of God.
A Tradition Rooted in the Early Church
The practice of invoking saints dates back to the earliest centuries of Christianity.
St Jerome, writing in the 4th century, said:
“If the Apostles and martyrs while still in the body can pray for others, how much more after their crowns, victories, and triumphs?”
Early Christians gathered at the tombs of martyrs to ask for their intercession, a practice visible in ancient inscriptions in the catacombs and the writings of Church Fathers like St Augustine and St Cyprian.
This isn’t a medieval invention. It’s a continuous thread of living Tradition, always centred on Christ.
The Saints Lead Us Closer to Christ
Venerating the saints doesn’t distance us from Jesus—it draws us closer. Pope Francis beautifully said:
“Our devotion to the saints… does not take anything away from Christ. On the contrary, it is a great treasure of the Church. It brings us closer to Him.” — General Audience, November 7, 2018
The saints are our elder brothers and sisters in faith. They inspire us, intercede for us, and help us grow in holiness. Their lives point always and only to Christ.
“When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens. I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.” — St Thérèse of Lisieux
One Church, One Family
To be Catholic is to belong to a vast spiritual family – one that includes the faithful on Earth, the souls being purified in Purgatory, and the glorified saints in Heaven.
Praying to saints is not about replacing God. It’s about participating more fully in the mystery of the Body of Christ—a body knit together in love, service, and prayer.
READ MORE: FAITH SECTION
READ MORE: WHAT IS A SAINT?
