Yes, I do. They are just as alive as you and I, even after they passed. Totally encourage you to read about the lives of Saints - there's plenty of material online. There are a few American Saints, most notably Saint Herman of Alaska, and Saint John Maximovitch of San Francisco. The relics of Saint John at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco are still working wonders - you can read testimonials from people. There is also one book written by a monk, whom, although not canonized by the Church, I believe to be a Saint: The Soul After Death, by Fr. Seraphim Rose. I can't recommend this book enough. Amazon sells it in electronic format.
Among the Saints, the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God holds a special place. We should never forget to venerate her and pray to her.
Yes, you are correct, worship of adoration belongs only to God. However, we should show respect to those "who have fought the good fight and finished the race", and ask their intercession before God.
Well, fren, your answer seems pretty categorical, so in all honesty, I did contemplate whether it makes sense to continue this thread or not. But perhaps this is a new perspective for you to consider or maybe it will help someone else reading it, so here it is:
When you start on the path and began praying earnestly, fasting and taking Communion - you will be tried at every step.
The demons are waiting and they will wage war against you. They will tempt you and deceive you in every way possible, including giving you false visions of God and Christ. They will put thoughts in your head, thoughts that will scare you and disgust you. They will try you on every single trait of your character, and you will need all the help you can get. Many good souls have been lost on this path, with many succumbing towards the end to the most insidious sin of all - Pride.
The Saints, although regular people like you and I once, are titans, because they were able to overcome. But they had the help of Jesus, Virgin Mary and all the other Saints and so any Christian applying himself/herself earnestly to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles should ask for their help.
They will help, all you have to do is ask.
The book I pointed above talks about this at great length.
BTW, Fr. Seraphim Rose's relics are buried at Platina, CA.
Yes, I do. They are just as alive as you and I, even after they passed. Totally encourage you to read about the lives of Saints - there's plenty of material online. There are a few American Saints, most notably Saint Herman of Alaska, and Saint John Maximovitch of San Francisco. The relics of Saint John at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco are still working wonders - you can read testimonials from people. There is also one book written by a monk, whom, although not canonized by the Church, I believe to be a Saint: The Soul After Death, by Fr. Seraphim Rose. I can't recommend this book enough. Amazon sells it in electronic format. Among the Saints, the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God holds a special place. We should never forget to venerate her and pray to her.
RE: No. 1 of the Ten Commandments.
Great to learn about these wonderful people.
The only being to pray to is God. Why would anyone need to pray to anyone, but God!?!
Yes, you are correct, worship of adoration belongs only to God. However, we should show respect to those "who have fought the good fight and finished the race", and ask their intercession before God.
Praying to them is 100% not the way to do that. Everything else is fine.
Well, fren, your answer seems pretty categorical, so in all honesty, I did contemplate whether it makes sense to continue this thread or not. But perhaps this is a new perspective for you to consider or maybe it will help someone else reading it, so here it is: When you start on the path and began praying earnestly, fasting and taking Communion - you will be tried at every step. The demons are waiting and they will wage war against you. They will tempt you and deceive you in every way possible, including giving you false visions of God and Christ. They will put thoughts in your head, thoughts that will scare you and disgust you. They will try you on every single trait of your character, and you will need all the help you can get. Many good souls have been lost on this path, with many succumbing towards the end to the most insidious sin of all - Pride. The Saints, although regular people like you and I once, are titans, because they were able to overcome. But they had the help of Jesus, Virgin Mary and all the other Saints and so any Christian applying himself/herself earnestly to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles should ask for their help. They will help, all you have to do is ask. The book I pointed above talks about this at great length. BTW, Fr. Seraphim Rose's relics are buried at Platina, CA.