Do Catholics believe in the intercession of saints?

Short answers:

1 Yes, Catholics believe that saints intercede for us before God, strengthening the communion of the Church.

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2 Saints, as a 'cloud of witnesses,' continuously pray for us, joining their prayers to ours before God.

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Advanced answer:

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Catholics believe in the intercession of saints, a doctrine that is part of the faith and practice of the Church. This belief is based on the conviction that saints, who are now in the glory of God, actively intercede for those still living on Earth. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that 'the intercession [of saints] is their most exalted service to God's plan' and that 'we can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 956).

The intercession of saints is an expression of the communion of saints, which unites all members of the Body of Christ, both those on Earth and those in Heaven. The practice of venerating saints and asking for their intercession strengthens the unity of the Body of Christ. This unity is essential because every genuine testimony of love shown by us to those in Heaven tends and ends in Christ. The intercession of saints connects us to this network of love and prayer, making God's presence more evident in our lives.

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What is the intercession of saints?

The saints intercede for us, living in communion with God and offering our prayers. As the Catechism states (n. 956), their intercession is an expression of Christ's love, strengthening the unity of the faithful in the Body of Christ.

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Biblical foundation of the intercession of saints

In Revelation 5:8, we see saints offering the prayers of the faithful to God. Hebrews 12:1 describes a 'cloud of witnesses' surrounding us, showing that saints accompany and intercede for us in our faith journey.

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Tradition and testimonies of the practice

The practice of seeking the intercession of saints dates back to early Christians, who left inscriptions on tombs asking for their prayers. Writings by Saint Augustine and prayers such as the 'Sub Tuum Praesidium' reinforce this tradition.

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References

CIC 956
CIC 957
CIC 2683
CIC 2684
CIC 2685
CIC 2686
CIC 2687
Revelation 5:8: The saints offer the prayers of the faithful to God, showing their active intercession for us.
Hebrews 12:1: We are surrounded by a 'cloud of witnesses,' referring to the saints who encourage and intercede in our journey of faith.
Luke 20:38: God is the God of the living, indicating that the souls of the righteous remain alive and can intercede for us.
Matthew 22:32: Jesus affirms that the patriarchs are alive, reinforcing the belief in the continuity of life and the intercession of saints.
1 Timothy 2:5: Jesus is the sole Mediator between God and humanity, but this does not exclude the intercession of saints as friends of God.
Titus 3:14: The practice of good works is encouraged; invoking saints is part of this spirituality that unites us in faith.
Romans 12:5: Just as we are one body in Christ, the intercession of saints strengthens the unity of the Church, including those in Heaven.

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Do Catholics believe in the intercession of saints?

Visual Complement

What is the intercession of saints?

Biblical foundation of the intercession of saints

Tradition and testimonies of the practice

References

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