Praying to Saints

[Dream]

Alright, I've chosen a Saint to ask for help from, but now how do I go about praying to them? I'm very unfamiliar with the whole concept of praying to a Saint and I worry might make a mistake by saying a prayer that should be intended solely for God.

I understand the purpose of praying to a Saint is simply to ask them to pray for you, but how much can you really say in a prayer like that?

 

[Victrixa]

Hi DreamTheater

Just talk to a saint as you would to a friend, that's all. Just ask him/her to pray for you for __________ (insert subject). As you would ask from one of us.

 

[PioMagnus]

As long as it isn't a prayer of worship, you'll be okay.

 

[Rising_Suns]

Yes, it's generally accepted to simply ask the saints for their prayers, but if you want to ask for "help" with something or other informal requests you may do so and they will of course respond by petitioning to God on your behalf

St. Anthony, for example, is the patron Saint of lost articles (among other things). There is a common prayer/poem to him;

"Good St. Anthony, come around. Something's lost and can't be found."

Then there is also a more formal request;

"Dear Saint Anthony,
you are the patron of the poor
and the helper of all who seek lost articles.
Help me find the object I have lost
so that I will be able to make better use of time
I WILL GAIN FOR GOD'S GREATER HONOR AND GLORY.
Grant your gracious aid to all people
who seek what they have lost-
especially those who seek to REGAIN GOD'S GRACE.
Amen."

Anyway, I tend to pray to Mary more than I do the saints, since Mary has been given very special graces, beyond that of any other saint.

May the Lord give you His peace!

-Davide

 

[plainswolf]

Prayer to the saints is usually structured in two parts.
1. Praising the Glory and Grace of God within that saint.
2. Petitioning that saint to pray for you.

A good example of this structure is the Hail Mary:
The first part is praise[honor and veneration] "Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus'.
The second part of the Hail Mary is petition: 'Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen".

What we Catholics render to Mary and the Saints is called "Dulia" which means honor or veneration. In Mary's case though we render to her what is called "Hyperdulia" since she, as the Mother of Our Saviour, is the first and greatest amongst the saints.

What we Catholics render to God alone is adoration, which is called "Latria" Hope that helps you abit.

 

[Qoheleth]

Prayer to the saints is usually structured in two parts.
1. Praising the Glory and Grace of God within that saint.
2. Petitioning that saint to pray for you.

A good example of this structure is the Hail Mary:
The first part is praise[honor and veneration] "Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus'.
The second part of the Hail Mary is petition: 'Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen".

What we Catholics render to Mary and the Saints is called "Dulia" which means honor or veneration. In Mary's case though we render to her what is called "Hyperdulia" since she, as the Mother of Our Saviour, is the first and greatest amongst the saints.

What we Catholics render to God alone is adoration, which is called "Latria" Hope that helps you abit.

Excellent post. It helped me, thank you


Q

 

[Dream]

Thank you very much everybody.