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On the Stigma of Stigmatics
2008-04-03 01:25:00 Almost a month ago, "Steve" emailed me the following question:I saw on TV that Padre Pio's body was exhumed for veneration. I tried to search for more info online because the segment was brief. Unfortunately, I ended up coming across some hostile Web sites claiming that Padre Pio was a fraud, and that someone at the Catholic Hospital in Rome referred to him as a psychopath. It further alleged that miracles like incorruptible saints are frauds because either the bodies have been proven to have been treated, or there is gross exagerration/wishful thinking. It also claimed that the Stigmata is false because the wounds appear differently and in different locations for Stigmatics.I am certainly not an expert on this subject, but I will try my best to respond to the points that you have raised.First of all, concerning the accusations that Padre Pio was a "fraud," the Church definitively put that matter to rest when they declared him a saint.You have to keep in mind that canonization is n...
Topical Index Page: Communion of Saints
2008-01-25 21:41:00 "Rhology" on Postures of Prayer and Idol Worship: Parts One -- TwoCan I Pray to My Grandmother?To "Pray" in the BibleHalloween and All Saints/Souls DayDefending Prayers to the Saints: Parts One -- Two -- Three -- FourThe Church: Two Bodies or One?When Was I Canonized?Saints and the Communion of SaintsArt as Servant: St. Michael the ArchangelPopular Quotations from Pier Giorgio FrassatiQ&A on the Angels and Saints: Parts One -- Two -- Three -- FourBlessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa and the Redeeming Value of Sickness and SufferingPatron Saints for Victims of Sexual AssaultWhy Have Images of Jesus and the Saints?When Does a Saint Become a Saint?Eight Key Points Against Catholicism: Part One, Praying to Saints"Bowing Down" and Idol WorshipIntercession and Mediation
"Rhology" on Postures of Prayer and Idol Worship
2008-01-20 05:59:00 Recently, someone who goes by the name of "Rhology" made a post over at Beggars All: Reformation about the supposed idolatrous actions of Catholics (and Eastern Orthodox) in kneeling/bowing down before statues and icons. Apparently, the distinction that Catholics make between ??????? (Lat. latria, "worship of God") and ??????? (Lat. dulia, "reverence of the saints") is "ad hoc and imaginary." I would like to address these claims.First, let's outline his argument. It basically goes like this: Exo 20:4-5 says that we should neither bow down to nor serve any graven imageThe Hebrew word for "serve" in that verse is 'abad.In translating this Hebrew word, the Septuagint (or LXX), uses both latreuo and douleuo (the two Greek words from which derive our Latin words latria and dulia).In other words, both Greek words mean "to serve" in the LXX.Therefore, the distinction that Catholics make between latria and dulia is not made in the Bible.Since the Bible condemns the "service"/latria/dulia ...
Can I Pray to My Grandmother?
2007-11-12 05:35:00 Devin, from the HCR forum, recently asked the following question:phat im confused. would you say its biblical to pray to my dead grandmother? or to ask for her to pray for me? i havent been in this thread for a minute. lol.As a personal devotion, that would be ok. In other words, you can pray to her yourself, but you can't encourage or advertise prayers to her as a devotion for the whole Church. Then it becomes public devotion, or "popular piety", and that is regulated by the Magisterium.Once the Church beatifies a person, the group of Catholics that propagated that person's cause for sainthood, or who have a particularly strong connection to him (usually b/c they are from the same country/region/religous order as he is) are allowed to pray to him. Once that person is canonized, the universal Church is permitted to do the same.This regulation is meant to safeguard the piety of the Church's members and to ensure that this piety is always properly ordered (which is a very good and ...
To "Pray" in the Bible
2007-11-06 19:47:00 One approach that Catholic apologists use when defending prayers to the saints is to explain the nature of this prayer. It is not the act of adoration that we give to God when we communicate with him. Instead, it is an entreaty or exhortation that we make to the saints in pursuit of their intercession, or their prayers. This meaning of the word "pray", while lesser known, is just as legitimate as the more common sense in which we use the word.What may surprise non-Catholics is to discover that this secondary sense of "praying" is found in the Bible as well. In other words, when the Bible speaks of praying it does not always refer to the act of adoration we give to God. See, for example, the following passages from the RSV:Gen 32:29 Then Jacob asked him, "Tell me, I pray, your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him.Gen 37:16 "I am seeking my brothers," he said, "tell me, I pray you, where they are pasturing the flock."Judges 6:18 Do not depart ...
Phatcat on the Communion of Saints
2007-11-01 21:41:00 I have written a lot on this blog about the communion of saints. Since today is the Solemnity of All Saints (or "All Saints Day"), I thought it would be useful to provide a list of those posts, in chronological order from most to least recent:Halloween and All Saints/Souls DayDefending Prayers to the Saints, in 4 Easy Steps (cf. Parts 2 -- 3 -- 4The Church: Two Bodies, or One?When Was I Canonized?Saints and the Communion of SaintsAngels and Saints: Parts 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4Patron Saints for Victims of Sexual AssaultWhy Have Images of Jesus and the Saints?When Does a Saint Become a Saint?Eight Key Points: Part 1 (Praying to Saints)Postures of Prayer and Idol WorshipIntercession and MediationThis doesn't even include the posts I make on the feast days of various saints, or any polls about the saints. At any rate, I hope when the saints look from heaven down upon the work that I have done here that they are proud.All the angels and saints....ora pro nobis!Pax Christi,phatcatholic
Halloween and All Saints/Souls Day
2007-10-31 19:54:00 There is much confusion about the origins of Halloween, and about what the Church celebrates on and around this day. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to make sense of it all. So, I offer the following links to articles and other resources that will help you to learn more about these holidays, and to defend them against the oh-so-typical charge that Catholics are pagans (in case you're wondering, we're not). I say Protestants just don't know how to throw a party like we do! (evidence here)All Hallow's EveAll Saints DayAll Souls DayHalloween: Its Origins and CelebrationSmashing Pumpkins: HalloweenGhosts, Hauntings, and Things that Go "Bump" in the NightCatholic Education: All Hallow's EveIdeas for Sanctifying HalloweenHalloween: Reclaim the Celebration of All SaintsHalloween, All Saints, and All Souls DayTaking Back Our "Holy" HalloweenHalloween, High Street, and Holy WitnessesHalloween's OriginsHalloween Word OriginsHoliday HysteriaPulling the Plug on the Halloween HabitR...
Poll-Release Monday #34
2007-10-29 17:24:00 Here is this week's poll question: "Do you pray to your guardian angel?" To vote, see the poll in my sidebar.This week's question, while related to last week's question, is often a very different thing for Catholics. It seems that most of us have our favorite saint that we pray to, but we don't give a whole lot of thought to our guardian angel. Some people don't even know what an angel is....or, they think they do, but they really don't!Angels aren't chubby little babies with curly blonde hair, nor are they skinny princesses in long, flowing dresses. We don't become angels when we die, nor should we want to. Angels don't dance in fluffy clouds, and they don't play harps or flutes either. They are pure spirits, noncorporeal. There was a fall among them, just as their was among mankind, and those who did not remain faithful were banished from heaven with Lucifer, their leader.The heavenly angels exist to give worship and adoration to God, and to do his will. In particular, a...
Praying to the Saints: Part 4
2007-10-26 05:00:00 James Hastings (assuming that is his actual name) has struck again, only this time on someone else's blog. I have decided to respond to him here. Also see Parts 1, 2, and 3 in our debate.Pax Christi,phatcatholic - - - - - - - - - -James,For someone who isn't out to convert, you sure are spreading your message around. Perhaps you are hoping that you'll find a Catholic you can actually convince?On my blog I responded to much of what you have written here. But there are a few new points that I would like to address.To encourage me to pray to the saints, I used to told the story of a man who wanted a job in a factory. Rather than approach the owner directly, he went to talk to his cousin who already worked there and asked him to take his petition to the owner.Or, as a teenager, I was told that if I wanted to stay out late at a party, it was always best to take my request to my mother who would present it to my father and soften the blow!These stories are just variations of the same o...
Prayers to the Saints: Part 3
2007-10-24 04:05:00 It looks like my 4-step defense of prayers to the saints has sparked a debate between James and I. Here is my response to his most recent comment. Also see Part 1 (the post that started it all) and Part 2.Pax Christi,phatcatholic- - - - - - - - - -Thank you for your explanations to my question about praying to the saints. I found your answers very profound - but not convincing!How about the part where I explain how the saints can hear our prayers w/o being omniscient/omnipresent, and even if they were, this wouldn't make them Gods? You seem to have moved on to the angels-saints distinction, and to some nice little anecdotes that don't prove anything ;)You are rather liberal in equating saints with angels. Yes, angels are at our disposal and aid, but saints - that is, people once living on earth and now in heaven -do not move between heaven and earth like angels, except in exceptionsl cases such as at the transfiguration. (Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus)Well, even t...
The Church: Two Bodies, or One?
2007-10-22 21:28:00 The "Hidden One" recently asked me the following question:Re: prayign to the saints - had argument earlier with someone saying that the body of Christ is not united with itself either between earth an heaven or earth-to-earth. Woudl desire help on that one.I think this is clearly refuted by what Scripture says about the Body of Christ being one:Rom 12:4-5 For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.1 Cor 10:17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.1 Cor 12:12-13,20 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.Eph 4:4 There is one body ...
Follow-Up on Prayers to the Saints
2007-10-22 20:39:00 Someone left a comment on my post about praying to the saints that I would like to address. This person asks some good questions that deserve a response.Exactly, how do saints in heaven hear our prayers? Are they omniscient and omnipresent? Can one popular saint, for example Padre Pio, hear millions of prayers at the same time? If so, he would be God.I'm not exactly sure how the saints are able to hear all of our prayers, I just know that they can. It could be for a variety of reasons, and I go over a few of them here. But, ultimately, I think that how they are able to hear are prayers is not as important as the fact that they can.I realize that, for someone who is questioning this doctrine, the "how" is very important. Often times, it's difficult for us to believe something if we don't fully understand it first. But, once understanding takes us as far as it can go, we must leave the rest up to faith. The Church teaches that we can pray to the saints, and has encouraged it since ...
Poll-Release Monday #33
2007-10-22 18:05:00 Here is this week's poll question: "Do you pray to the saints? If not, why not?"If you don't care, please leave a comment on this post if you answered no (you can also click the link below the poll, in my sidebar). I would like to allay any fears that you all may have in regard to praying to the saints.My current debate on this topic somewhat saddens me b/c it basically means that millions of non-Catholic Christians have no notion (or at least an inferior notion) of what it means to be a member of the mystical Body of Christ. Even though Jesus conquered death and the saints in heaven experience membership in the Body to the fullest extent imaginable, protestants fight tooth and nail for a total separation between the saints in heaven and the saints on earth, to the disparagement of all the good and holy men and women who came before us. And I guess it makes sense. "Communion" is difficult to esteem when your rule of faith (sola scriptura) encourages division, and praying to saints...
Defending Prayers to the Saints: In 4 Easy Steps
2007-10-19 21:37:00 The complaint is often made that, since there is no command in Scripture for us to pray to the saints, there is thus no biblical warrant for such a practice. But, we do a lot of things as Christians, not b/c there is an explicit command to do so, but b/c they logically follow from what we believe. For example, there is no verse that says, "You must protest outside of an abortion clinic" or "You must vote for a pro-life politician," but we do these things anyway b/c they follow from what we believe (and what the Bible teaches) about the gift of life and the dignity of the human person.Catholics pray to saints for the same reason: b/c it logically follows from what we believe (and what the Bible teaches) about the Body of Christ. One way to show this is through the following syllogism:Members of the Body ask for each other's prayers (cf. Rom 15:30; Eph 6:19; Col 4:3-4; 1 Thes 5:25; 2 Thes 3:1; Heb 13:18)Members of the Body pray to God for each other (cf. Mt 5:44; Acts 8:15; 9:40; 28:...
The Incorruptible Food
2007-09-17 18:46:00 Check out today's "Daily Catholic Quotation" from St. Ignatius of Antioch's Letter to the Romans: "I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire his blood, which is love incorruptible."I have no doubt that he had his thoughts set on the incorruptible food that is Jesus Christ while he became corruptible food for the lions! For more information on the Real Presence in the Eucharist, go here.For more information on St. Ignatius of Antioch, go here or here.Pax Christi,phatcatholic
When Was I Canonized?
2007-07-01 00:58:00 As a protestant christian am i a Saint, or is that title reserved for special, really holy, canonized people like Saint Nicholas?The Church uses the word "saint" just as the Bible does, both for Christians on earth who are in a state of grace and for the souls in heaven. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 823 says in part, "The Church, then, is 'the holy People of God,' and her members are called 'saints.'""Her members" would be anyone (even from other denominations) who is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and who believes in Christ. From the Catechism we read [again, in part]: 838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter." Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion wi...
Saints and the Communion of Saints
2007-07-01 00:30:00 This is serious although it sounds sort of joking...do you belive she hears your prayers? I mean, in order for her to hear all the prayers she would have to be omnipotent and omnipresent right?Well, not necessarily. I don't really know how it works, but I do know that, in virtue of being spirits in heaven, they are aware of our prayers. I say "aware" because, technically speaking, words like "seeing" and "hearing" are inaccurate. A soul without a body (and thus without eyes and ears) can neither "see", nor "hear." Really, these words just reflect an awareness that the saints have of our prayers.There are various passages of Scripture that show that the angels are indeed aware of and respond to what happens to us on earth:Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.Mt 18:10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.Lk 15:7-10 Just so, I... |
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