s great dignity, His awful majesty and our own nothingness.
If a poor person wanted to obtain a favor from the President of the
United States, would he go directly to the President himself? No. He
would find someone who had influence with the President, and ask him to
obtain the favor. Why, the very persons that say we should not use the
influence of saints do themselves use the influence of others to obtain
favors. They never go to an enemy of the one from whom they desire the
favor, but to some of his friends, knowing that a person will often
grant a favor for a friend's sake that he would not grant for the sake
of others. Now we do exactly the same when we pray to the saints. They
are the special friends of God. They fasted, prayed, preached, labored,
or suffered death for His honor and glory. He showed them great favors
while they were upon earth. He performed miracles at their request. Will
He deny them now, when they are always present with Him in Heaven--where
they could not possibly sin? He loves to grant them favors; and, as they
do not need any for themselves, He grants them for others through their
intercession. Again men are honored by the praises of their fellowman. A
great general is honored by having all his countrymen praise him; so,
too, God wants His saints honored, for their great spiritual deeds, by
the praise of the children of the Church. God is not annoyed by being
asked for favors. Nothing can trouble Him, for all is done by an act of
His will. He loses nothing by giving, for He is infinite. By praying to
the saints for help we confess that we are too unworthy to present
ourselves to God and address Him--to come before His awful Majesty, and
that we will wait here in the humble attitude of prayer while you, holy
saints, His dearest friends, go into His presence and ask for us the
favors and graces we require.

332 Q. Does the First Commandment forbid us to pray to the saints?
A. The First Commandment does not forbid us to pray to the saints.

We do not pray to them as to God. We never say to them, "Give us this or
that," but always, "Obtain it for us." In all the litanies you cannot
find one petition where we say, even to the Blessed Virgin: "Have mercy
on us," but, "Pray for us," or, "Intercede for us."

333 Q. What do we mean by praying to the saints?
A. By praying to the saints we mean the asking of their help and
prayers.

*334 Q. How do we know that the saints hear us?
A. We know that th