Do Catholics pray to saints?

Whether or not Catholics pray to saints depends on how you define the word "pray". If you mean do we speak to or address the saints, then the answer is in the affirmative. Yes, Catholics do pray to saints.

The word saint comes from the Latin word "sanctus", meaning holy. Saints are people who have attained heaven, and thus, being in God's presence, are certainly holy. There are numerous saints in heaven, some we know by name and others who have never been formally recognized, but who are in heaven all the same.

Since the saints are in heaven, they have direct access to God. When Catholics speak to them in prayer, we ask them to intercede with God and pray for the favor or grace we are seeking. We know that a saint cannot answer a prayer; only God can do that.

Let's make a human comparison. Suppose you wanted the mayor of your town to give special consideration to a worthy cause you were supporting. You had tried unsuccessfully get his attention through normal channels. If you lived next door to his mother, would you not ask her to put on a good word for you with her son?

In the same manner, many Catholics pray to Mary, asking her to intercede with her Son Jesus, and request that He grant their petition. Mary is not divine; she is a human like us, but she is a saint and very dear to the heart of the Lord. Would He not listen to her now as He did throughout His childhood, his teenage years and young adulthood on earth?

We are encouraged to address the saints because of our belief in the "Communion of Saints".

This doctrine, found in the "Apostles' Creed" identifies three branches of the Church as:

a) the Church Militant- the people on earth still fighting temptation and struggling to attain heaven.

(b) the Church Triumphant- the saints in heaven.

(c) the Church Suffering- the souls in purgatory who waiting to get to heaven.

Each branch of the Church is intertwined with the others, through membership in God's family. Those on earth can pray for the souls in purgatory, and address the saints in heaven, but we do not ask the saints to grant favors. Only God can do that. The saints can only put in a good word for us.

For this reason, parents are encouraged to give their child a saint's name in Baptism. Young people are urged to choose a saint's name when they receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Countries, occupations, illnesses and causes all have patron saints.

Whatever your need or desire, there is a saint or maybe several who can help you achieve you goal, always provided, of course, that your request is in accordance with God's will. When you are praying for a favorable outcome to a serious matter, you should take advantage of all the help available. In such cases, it's impossible to have too many heavenly friends.