Idol statues pray?
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Catholics do not worship statues but honor saints with statues as they honor national heroes. Statues remind Catholics of the saints' example and that they are part of a larger family in heaven and on earth. While Catholics pray directly to God through Christ, they also ask saints in heaven to pray for them, as the saints' prayers are offered to God and they desire all people to be saved. Statues and images of saints serve as reminders of their examples of faith and reassurance that the church community extends beyond the living.
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Idol statues pray?
- 1. Questions Catholics are Asked: Why do you pray to idols (statues)?
- 2. The short answer: Catholics do not worship statues. We honor the saints with statues, just as we honor our national heroes.
- 3. We honor the saints with images of them, just as we honor our own families with portrait photos.
- 4. For Catholics, salvation is not an isolated, individual experience. We belong to one another on earth. Death is simply a reminder that we are journeying toward a wonderful reunion in heaven! You have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven Hebrews 12:22-23
- 5. Firstborn refers to an older brother. Just as an older brother protects and guides his younger siblings, so the saints help us in our journey of faith. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1
- 6. The Catholic tradition of the veneration of the saints is grounded in our vision of church as a family. The church has many millions of members, and the vast majority are dead! Many of our deceased brothers and sisters lived heroic lives of faith. From heaven they inspire us still: By the example of their lives In their prayers for us In statues and other images that remind us of them
- 7. By the example of their lives Saint Peter Claver, for example, dedicated his life to ministering to African slaves in the New World.
- 8. In their prayers for us I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" 1 Tim. 2:14
- 9. Our older brothers and sisters, the saints, pray for us. In the Book of Revelation angels and saints offer prayers to God: The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. Rev 5:8 Those in heaven have no needs. Whose could the prayers be for except the believers still on earth?
- 11. Why not pray directly to God through Christ? Of course we should pray directly to God through Christ! But the reconciling love of Christ be given also to the church. In Christ we all participate in the mediating power of prayer. Asking the saints to pray for us does not diminish Christs unique role any more than our asking each another for prayers. This is simply what Christians do.
- 12. Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life. Saint Dominic I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth. Saint Therese of Lisieux