Questions / Mary and the saints

Why do Catholics pray to saints?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Ascension Presents

Video: Why Do Catholics Pray to the Saints?, Ascension Presents, published Nov 1, 2019. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Same reason you ask a friend to pray for you. The saints never stop praying for us, and you can ask them. CCC 956 CCC 2683

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

The saints in heaven do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, through the one mediator, Christ Jesus. CCC 956

The saints contemplate God, praise Him, and constantly care for those they have left on earth. CCC 2683

Our words

You ask friends to pray for you. Catholics just include friends who are already in heaven.

Short on time? Quick answer · 2 min

Play video: Why pray to the saints? (#AskBishopBarron), Bishop Robert Barron, from Bishop Robert Barron, 2 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Video: Why pray to the saints? (#AskBishopBarron), Bishop Robert Barron, published Apr 22, 2014. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube only when you press play.

Watch another on this

Play video: 1 Timothy 2:5 Explained: One Mediator Between God and Man, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 8 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

If there is one mediator, why ask saints to pray?

Play video: Why Have a Patron Saint?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 4 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

What is a patron saint?

Play video: Why do Catholics pray to Mary and the Saints?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 5 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Why do Catholics pray to Mary?

Next step: Meet the saints

Honestly? The best answers come from people, not websites. Take the next step: find a parish near you

Related questions

Do Catholics worship Mary? Fr. Gregory Pine, OP on Pints with Aquinas · 7 minIf there is one mediator, why ask saints to pray? Catholic Answers · 8 minAren’t statues and icons forbidden images? Catholic Answers · 11 minDid Jesus have brothers and sisters? Dr. Brant Pitre · 17 min

Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 956, 2683 (official text on vatican.va).

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.