Saturday, April 05, 2008

Few More Facts about the Saints


Do you know that as of today, there are more than ten thousand Roman Catholic saints, including beatified persons? However with the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox religions, this number of saints might even be higher. We also have the Calendar of Saints listed according the day on which they are honored and venerated. There is also a list of Catholic saints, according the date of their death.

What really are Patron Saints?

For Christians and Catholics that have the belief that there exist the intercessions of Catholic Saints, this is called the patron saint, wherein the saint has a special fondness or affinity to a specific group. For example, for the carpenters who believe in their intercession, they can always pray to Saint Joseph. And for those who consider themselves burdened with impossible cases and problems, they can also go to St Jude or Saint Rita of Cascia for their intercession.

Negative Views about Patron Saints

Some religions view the belief of Christians and Catholics on the intercession of the Patron Saints as polytheism and even idolatry. They associate the patron saint with the gods or goddesses of pagans during the olden times. And because of these, the non-believers think of the act of saint veneration as one that is condemnable by the Holy Bible.

It must be clear that the praying to the saints does not mean adoring and worshipping them. Catholics and even Christians do not pray to the saints with the thinking that the saints will help them directly.

Catholics are clearly aware that the Roman Catholic Saints are only a medium. They act as effective intercessors, so that your prayers are more effectively listened to by the Lord, with the hope that our intentions will be granted faster.

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