Saints

Often when Catholics are troubled by or need guidance on something, they pray to Saints. But why do they pray to Saints and what are Saints? Saints with a lowercase 's' are those people who have reached the glory of Heaven. Saints with a capital 'S' are people who are recognized by the Church as having remained faithful during their time on earth, are recognized by the Church to be great examples to follow, and have reached the glory of Heaven. Saints have to be canonized by the Church and once canonized they receive their own holiday where Church followers look back at what they have accomplished, learn from their actions, and pray to them for guidance. Saints are prayed to for guidance because during difficulty in their life they remained faithful to God. People pray to Saints because they have set great examples for all Christians to follow and are usually recognized for/represent some aspect of life (lost items, travel, throats, chastity). 956: "The intercession of the saints-Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness.... They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus.... So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped.” So in conclusion, Saints and saints are prayed to because they intercede for us to God and provide great examples for us to follow in our spiritual life.