The Do’s and Don’ts of Devotion to the Saints

Devotion to the Saints—those who have gone before us into heaven—is a worthy endeavor. We can be encouraged by their example; we can be instructed by their teachings; and we can be supported by their prayers. But there's a right and a wrong way to practice any devotion.

Today, Fr. Mark Mary discusses Catholic devotion to the Saints and shows us how to remain neither discouraged nor weird.

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[NewNoise]

There is a saint who did pentance in the middle of the desert. I was planning on going to the desert and doing the same. Thank you for stopping me.

[valerieverrecchio]

Excellent presentation Father Mark. I’m sure many of us feel “less than” when we read about the extraordinary sacrifices of the saints. To be inspired as you describe is a step towards holiness. Thanks as always.

[wreloise]

Thank you
As a non-Catholic…praying directly to God, I seldom ask others to pray for me….may the Holy Spirit continue to enrich me of how wonderful it is to ask the Saints to present my petitions/intentions before the Lord. 🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾

[seans.]

"Let's begin with the interior life...God has a unique plan for us." I will check out your book, Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress. Thank you, Fr. Mark-Mary🙏

[theclapaolini]

Perfect and needed like water for some of our catholics.this will be a great help to be what God wants us to be by His inspiration day in and day out.

[TheFunfolks]

Thank you, Fr. Mark Mary ...
We are part of the Communion of Saints ! We are also Unique and ought to follow the Will of God....
When we get to Heaven, we'll be Saints also.

[Anna_K.]

Not only is it impossible or unwise to imitate saints, but it is also insulting to God, as in this way we contradict and deny God's creativity! It's as if we were thinking poor God cannot create a unique path for everyone, and we have to save Him the trouble and imitate the most successful ways! In the meantime, however, the living God is unstoppable in creating unrepeatable and inimitable faces, fingerprints, lives, ways and sainthoods! ♥️ So it is insulting to doubt that and live our lives looking around to find who to imitate. Let alone the fact, that holiness won't be a goal itself. If it is made a goal, it will become a prideful trophy dream.

But the truth is, holiness is... a miraculous side effect. Which proves rather surprising to the very person, as they just lived love, not the prideful dream to be saint and to leave everyone else behind.

[mattberg]

I needed this. Thank you for the grounding talk. Our beloved saints are chosen by the Father. I believe I've heard Fr. Ripperger say that we must FIRST do all our our little daily tasks in the light of the Father first. Humility is the key that we typically struggle with.

[ginasalis]

This was so needed. I always feel I fall short of the saints 🙏🕊️

[ianmackenzie]

Excellent presentation of a subject that some well-meaning liturgical Christians might not really understand.

[amymicallef]

It’s mere impossible to become the exact same as any Saint, yes we can use them as inspiration but we can’t be exactly like them. God calls us to be ourselves and exactly what you said Fr Mike Mary, we are unique. Not all of the Saints are the same, they are similar in the way they lived their life being for God but we all have a different story of faith and upbringing. So God uses that to help everyone to become a Saint! God calls all of us to holiness, in different ways and that will never stop us from becoming a Saint!

Thank you Fr Mike Mary, I always love listening to you, may God be with you!

[maureenbanks]

Imitate therese is liseux & we won't have a problem! Her little way was humble!

[Teamfra]

So good! I laughed out loud a few times!
Poco a Poco and no es weird 😂

[marymccannfrancis]

Amen 🙏❤🙏 ✝️ beautiful father Mark Mary may God bless you

[katkat]

Awesome direction! We must love the Saints faith more than the gifts. Such good friends in Christ.

[maureenbanks]

Loving the saints & not being weird. He's so funny!

[hksuperstar]

Thanks Fr. Mike-Mary for the answer from clergy. Something to aspire to. Have a great weekend.

[joanneward]

Thank you Father that makes things more clear for me. God Bless you

[AnaClaudia-zrzk]

Excellent video!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Thank you, Friar Mark Mary!!! God bless you!

[judyparis]

All Saints had an enormous LOVE ❤️ for our LORD JESUS CHRIST 🙏... That's the essence that led them to this so called 'weird' penances... They understood they are brothers and sisters of our LORD.... They did what a sibling would do to relieve the pain of most Beloved brother who sacrificed his life for everybody's salvation!! Roman 8:15-17