My very nice, very Protestant boss asked me "what is the Scriptural Basis for having saints in our church, and why the forumulaic way of praying to them?" He said he didn't understand it when "all you need is Jesus." So, in the process of formulating a coherent response, I ask all of you...because...inquiring [Protestant] minds want to know...thanks for your help, LorriAnn

-- LorriAnn (latornay@aol.com), November 01, 1999

Answers

LorriAnn,

In scriptures, ALL believers are considered saints (living and dead). It was the way people referred to someone who was part of the Body of Christ or those who were "in Christ Jesus". It wasn't until after the scriptures were written that the church began to change the meaning of the word to define a saint like it is today. Since I am not Catholic, I'll refrain from providing a definition so that I do not appear to be representing myself as Catholic. Perhaps Brother Rich can accommodate your request. I will only add that you will find nothing in scripture that indicates any sort of "test" of miraculous answers to prayer or anything of the sort to qualify someone for sainthood. In the eyes of the Lord, all true disciples of Jesus Christ are saints.

God bless!

Saint David (not necessarily being sarcastic :-)

-- David Bowerman (dbowerman@blazenet.net), November 01, 1999.

Ji, All that I cam suggest is to look at the Catechism and the section on "communion of Saints" The process really started in pre- Christian time with the practice of the Jewish in honoring the "Fathers" The local church started to make lists of their proplr who defended the Faith with their life and lead holy lives. They wanted tro remember them for their example. As the lists grew and people were added that should not have been there. The Church started to place more control on the process, first with the local Bishop overseeing it and eventually Rome. As was pointed out we are all called to be Saints. We are called to do this even while still here. Remember that prayers are always directed TO God. We pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who have died and ask them to pray TO God for us. This is known as intercessory Prayer, within the Communion of Saints.

-- Br. Rich S.F.O. (repsfo@prodigy.net), November 02, 1999.