1193. {332} Does the first Commandment forbid us to pray to the
saints?
A. The first Commandment does not forbid us to pray to the saints.

Q. 1194. Why does the first commandment not forbid us to pray to the
Saints?
A. The first commandment does not forbid us to pray to the Saints,
because if we are allowed to ask the prayers of our fellow-creatures
upon earth we should be allowed also to ask the prayers of our
fellow-creatures in heaven. Moreover, the Saints must have an interest
in our welfare, because whatever tends to make us good, tends also to
the glory of God.

Q. 1195. {333} What do we mean by praying to the saints?
A. By praying to the saints we mean the asking of their help and
prayers.

Q. 1196. Do we not slight God Himself by addressing our prayers to
saints?
A. We do not slight God Himself by addressing our prayers to saints,
but, on the contrary, show a greater respect for His majesty and
sanctity, acknowledging, by our prayers to the saints, that we are
unworthy to address Him for ourselves, and that we, therefore, ask His
holy friends to obtain for us what we ourselves are not worthy to ask.

Q. 1197. {334} How do we know that the saints hear us?
A. We know that the saints hear us, because they are with God, who makes
our prayers known to them.

Q. 1198. {335} Why do we believe that the saints will help us?
A. We believe that the saints will help us because both they and we are
members of the same Church, and they love us as their brethren.

Q. 1199. {336} How are the saints and we members of the same Church?
A. The saints and we are members of the same Church, because the Church
in heaven and the Church on earth are one and the same Church, and all
its members are in communion with one another.

Q. 1200. {337} What is the communion of the members of the Church
called?
A. The communion of the members of the Church is called the Communion of
Saints.

Q. 1201. {338} What does the communion of saints mean?
A. The communion of saints means the union which exists between the
members of the Church on earth with one another, and with the blessed in
Heaven, and with the suffering souls in Purgatory.

Q. 1202. {339} What benefits are derived from the communion of saints?
A. The following benefits are derived from the communion of saints: the
faithful on earth assist one another by their prayers and good works,
and they are aided by the intercession of the saints in Heaven, while
both the saints i