From time to time, we Catholics find ourselves having to explain our relationship with the saints to those who are non-Catholic, especially our Protestant brothers and sisters. While all Christians honor the saints to some degree, we Catholics can be really “over-the-top” in our devotion to the saints. (And I mean that in a good way!) Our devotion to the saints is revealed in our love for icons, statues, relics, medals, litanies, prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages related to various saints. To some, this devotion is misinterpreted as worship, as though we place the saints on the same level as God, who alone we are called to worship. There is a big difference between honoring and worshipping. In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we explore how Catholics honor, but do not worship, the saints.
For more information about the place of the saints in Catholic life, check out saints resources from Loyola Press.
I appreciate the explanation given on this segment. Unfortunately many Christian’s, especially those of evangelical background have been witnesses to some Catholics who demonstrate inordinate way of honoring the saints and thus their actions are mistaken for worship or adoration which only God deserves.
Thanks for your comments, Lin. Yes, we must always be sure that when we honor the saints, we make it clear that our goal is to grow closer to Jesus!