Skip to main content

Featured Post

RNG Bank Salary Loan Table for DepEd Teachers

Salary Loan Table - RNG Coastal Bank RNG Bank offers salary loan for permanent DepEd teaching and non-teaching staff thru Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS). Features: đź“ŤLOW INTEREST RATE đź“ŤLOAN AMOUNT UP TO 500,000 đź“Ť5 YEARS MAXIMUM LOAN TERM đź“ŤNO HIDDEN CHARGES đź“ŤNO NEED TO GO TO THE OFFICE A Bank that is built with trust and integrity and committed to provide quality and safe banking services to its existing and future clients, RNG Coastal Bank, Inc . is a banking institution established in the year 1974. The Bank has 15 operating branches in the Visayas, 11 in Cebu and 4 in Bohol. Providing various financial products and services to its clients for almost 50 years, RNG Coastal Bank remains strong and continuously grows its number of branches to reach more Filipinos. Here are the branches of RNG Coastal Bank: RNG Coastal Bank Head Office Cor. Cabancalan Road, Talamban, Cebu City 6000 Labangon Branch Punta Princesa, (Labangon) Cebu City Asturias Branch Poblacion, Asturias, Ce...
Post a Comment

Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints? Understanding the Catholic Tradition

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the Catholic faith—especially among non-Catholics—is the practice of praying to saints. If you’ve ever wondered, "Why do Catholics pray to saints?" or thought it might be a form of worship, this post is for you. Let’s break down what this practice really means, where it comes from, and why it continues to be a key part of Catholic spirituality.

Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints?

Do Catholics Worship Saints?

The short answer is no—Catholics do not worship saints. Worship, or adoration (latria), is reserved for God alone: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What Catholics give to saints is veneration (dulia)—a deep respect and honor. The Virgin Mary receives a special kind of veneration called hyperdulia, but even this is not the same as worship.

What Does It Mean to Pray to Saints?

When Catholics say they are “praying to saints,” they mean they are asking saints to pray for them, much like you might ask a friend or family member to pray for you. This is known as the intercession of saints. It’s a form of intercessory prayer, not direct worship or devotion in place of God.

Think of it like a spiritual support network—Catholics believe saints in heaven are alive in Christ and can intercede before God on behalf of those on Earth.

The Biblical Basis for Praying to Saints

While the Bible doesn’t explicitly say, “Pray to saints,” Catholic teaching is rooted in Scripture and Tradition. Here are some key references often cited:

1. The Communion of Saints

  • Romans 12:5 – “So we, though many, are one body in Christ.”

  • 1 Corinthians 12:26 – “If one member suffers, all suffer together.”

These verses highlight the unity of all Christians—living and dead—in the Body of Christ. Catholics believe this unity continues after death.

2. Heavenly Intercession

  • Revelation 5:8 – The elders in heaven offer prayers of the saints to God like incense.

  • Revelation 8:3-4 – An angel offers prayers on the golden altar before the throne.

These passages suggest that heavenly beings are involved in presenting human prayers to God.

3. Asking Others to Pray for You

  • James 5:16 – “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

If it’s valuable to ask fellow believers to pray for us on Earth, why not ask those who are already in heaven with God?

The Role of Saints in Catholic Life

Saints are models of faith, not replacements for God. Catholics turn to them for:

  • Spiritual guidance

  • Encouragement through difficult times

  • Examples of how to live a holy life

Popular saints like St. Anthony (lost items), St. Jude (hopeless cases), and St. Therese of Lisieux (simplicity and trust in God) are often prayed to for specific intentions—not because they have divine power, but because they are seen as close friends of God.

Common Misconceptions

❌ "Catholics think saints have magic powers."

✅ Saints are not magical. Their power lies in their closeness to God and their willingness to pray for us.

❌ "Praying to saints replaces prayer to God."

✅ Catholics pray directly to God every day—in the Mass, personal prayer, and devotions. Praying to saints is in addition, not instead.

❌ "The Bible forbids communicating with the dead."

✅ The Bible condemns necromancy (trying to manipulate or summon spirits), not asking saints in heaven to pray to God.

Conclusion: Why Catholics Pray to Saints

Catholics pray to saints because they believe in the Communion of Saints, the power of intercessory prayer, and the example of holy men and women who have gone before them. It’s not about worship—it’s about asking our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us draw closer to God.

If you’re curious or skeptical, consider this: If you’d ask your friend to pray for you during a hard time, why not also ask someone who is already in the presence of God?

FAQs About Praying to Saints

Q: Is praying to saints biblical?
A: It’s based on biblical principles like intercession and the unity of the Body of Christ, supported by Catholic tradition.

Q: Can saints really hear our prayers?
A: Catholics believe saints in heaven, being with God, are not limited by time and space as we are.

Q: Shouldn’t we go straight to Jesus?
A: Yes—and Catholics do! But just like asking a friend to pray for you doesn’t replace your own prayers, asking saints for intercession complements a direct relationship with God.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BDO NETWORK BANK LOAN TABLE FOR TEACHERS (5 YEARS)

5-Year Term BDO Network Bank Loan Table For DepEd Teachers Another bank is willing to lend our dear teachers in the Department of Education an amount with a reasonable interest rates. The BDO Network Bank offers permanent teachers in DepEd a loan which is paid through Automatic Payroll Deduction System or APDS. How to apply for a Teacher's Loan? Simply visit the nearest BDO Network Bank Branch or Loan Officer and bring the following requirements: Original copy of the latest three (3) months payslips One (1) 1x1 ID picture and two (2) valid government-issued IDs Photocopy of the Letter of Appointment with original copy as presented to BDO Network personnel GSIS Index Practical and Affordable Loan up to P750,000 and enjoy low interest rate through APDS, for maximum loan term of 5 years. No late payment charges, no notarial fee, no pre-termination fee and no co-maker required Includes FREE Credit Life Insurance What is BDO Network Bank? BDO Network Bank (commonly known as BDO NB, fo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Here are the Submission Links and CRLA, RMA Assessment Tools

The Department of Education (DepEd) is kicking off the new school year with a focus on ensuring every child in Grades 1-3 gets the support they need to succeed. This exciting initiative involves the administration of the Rapid Mathematics Assessment (RMA) and the Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (CRLA) . Why are these assessments important? Early Identification: Identifying areas where students might need extra help allows teachers to tailor interventions early on, maximizing their learning potential. Targeted Support: The insights from these assessments will pinpoint specific skill gaps and pave the way for targeted support programs. No learner gets left behind! Championing Equity: Data gathered will provide a nationwide picture of student performance. This allows DepEd to focus resources and support on areas that need it most, promoting educational equity across the Philippines. When and How will the Assessments Take Place? Timeline: Assessments will be conducted nationwide bet...
Post a Comment
Read more

Free Download Editable DTR or Civil Service Form No. 48

For employees in both government and private sectors, keeping track of attendance and work hours is an essential administrative task. The Daily Time Record (DTR) or Civil Service Form No. 48 is a crucial document used to record an employee's daily work hours and absences. In an effort to streamline this process and assist hardworking professionals, we are pleased to offer a hassle-free solution. In this blog post, we provide a downloadable and editable DTR form that will simplify your record-keeping tasks, ultimately saving you valuable time and effort. Download this offline editable DTR. Download it first to edit.  ( To download this editable DTR, simply click the link above and when it opens in another window to show the DTR online format, click file at the upper left corner and click download on the drop down menu, then choose Microsoft Excel format ) Why is the DTR Form Important? The DTR form serves as an official record of an employee's attendance, leave credits, tardine...
Post a Comment
Read more

Understanding Grade Transmutation in DepEd

Understanding Grade Transmutation in DepEd In the Philippine education system, grade transmutation is the process of converting raw scores into equivalent grades. This ensures consistency and fairness when assessing student performance. DepEd follows specific guidelines for transmuting grades, allowing educators to evaluate students objectively. How Does Grade Transmutation Work? Initial Grades : Students receive raw scores (usually out of 100) for their assessments, exams, and projects. These initial grades serve as the basis for transmutation. Transmuted Grades : To convert initial grades into transmuted grades, DepEd uses a predefined scale. Let’s take a closer look at the scale: Table Initial Grade Range Transmuted Grade 100 100 98.40 – 99.99 99 96.80 – 98.39 98 … … 68.00 – 69.59 80 Below 68.00 60 Interpreting the Scale : For example, if a student scores between 98.40 and 99.99, their transmuted grade will be 99. Similarly, an initial grade of 85.60 – 87.19 corresponds to a transm...
Post a Comment
Read more

City Savings Bank Salary Loan Table

City Savings Salary Loan Table for DepEd Teachers City Savings Bank is one of the institutions that offers salary loan to DepEd teaching and non-teaching staff with  low interest rate and flexible term. What is good about City Savings Bank is you can call a loan ranger to facilitate your loan application. If you have internet connection, you can also avail of their online loan application. During this time of pandemic, you don't need to go to their branch to apply for a salary loan because the company is seeing to it that it's costumer's safety is addressed. Below are the frequently asked questions taken from their official website. 1. What are the requirements?          For New Loan Two (2) months latest payslips (current and previous month, original and photocopy) Duly accomplished Loan Application Form Three (3) Photocopies of DepEd and PRC IDs Two (2) Photocopies of Cedula Certified true copy of the Permanent Appointment (back to back) One Co-maker (mus...
2 comments
Read more