Pop-Up Catechesis: Honoring the Saints

Pop-Up Catechesis with Joe Paprocki

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.

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

3 Comments

  1. 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!

  2. I am unable to see the video, but I am not sure why. I’d love to share this with families. Thank you.

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