[Señor Zorro]

If so, you are really doing not much more than the Church is doing in that it establishes role models for Catholics to follow and to aspire to.

Ah, but being a saint in Catholocism means so much more. Note how saints can be prayed to in Catholocism. Someone who merely appoints noteworthy people as excellent role models is not encouraging that level of admiration. So, the previous poster is "not doing much more", but is rather doing much less--as it should be.

[Aussie Dasher]

I daily pray to my parents. Neither are cannonized, but I know they are with God and are, therefore saints.

[guinnessman]

Actually, you're not praying to a saint, you're praying to God through the intercession of that saint. Think of it as having a lobbyist in heaven, who sees God face to face.

The way I explain it to my CCD kids is: If St. Peter were still living on earth, and you asked him to help you fix a flat tire, would he do it? Of course he would! So why wouldn't he help you now that he's heaven?

Asking for the intercession of someone in heaven is just another way of living fellowship with a brother in Christ who's in heaven now instead of on earth.

[PMCarey]

Ah, but being a saint in Catholocism means so much more.

Oh I totally agree with that. I was trying to put into Earthly terms the rationale behind the canonization process. Kind of like when you ask someone to pray for you, it's akin to accessing for intercession from Saints.