Posted on 08/06/2009 1:32:36 PM PDT by TaraP
Why build an ordinary everyday statue in commemoration of one of Catholicism’s most cherished saints, when you can build one that literally delivers rays of light to the people?
Padre Pio has a special significance for Italian Catholics, who pray to him more often than to Jesus or the Virgin Mary, so perhaps it’s not too surprising that curators of his shrine have decided to build the kind of monument that will get worldwide attention: a 60-foot statue capable of collecting solar energy.
Born Francesco Forgione in 1887, Padre Pio has a massive global following that is expected to pony up the several million Euros that it will take to build the statue. It will be covered in a special photovoltaic paint that will enable it to capture solar energy, making it the world’s first example of green religious iconography.
The saint is said to have borne the wounds of stigmata on his hands, feet and side for at least half a century and his fellow friars attributed thousands of miraculous cures to him at the time of his death in 1968.
Padre Pio’s preserved body has been on display at San Giovanni Rotondo near the Adriatic coast of Italy since March of 2008, and will remain there through this September. His face has been covered with a lifelike silicone mask of the type used in wax museums “to protect the sensibilities of those who visited the crypt.”
Even the state of his body forty years after his death has been deemed a miracle, as a local bishop claims that when his tomb was opened, there was no unpleasant smell.
When I asked the doctors for an explanation they told me it was up to me to provide an answer, not them."
Catholics do NOT PRAY TO (venerate) a saint. They “pray” (request) that saint intercede for them at the throne of God, where they have earned a place of honor.
I know that’s the accepted doctrine of the Catholic Church, but three things:
1. I’ve known “Catholics” that pray to Saints in a very real way. But again, that’s not the Church’s fault, other than perhaps they need to be more clear with their members on this particular doctrine.
2. I am not clear on how anyone that isn’t God (Father, Son or Spirit) can hear hundreds of thousands to millions of people simultaneously.
3. Plus Jesus is pretty awesome as a mediator all by himself :)
Either way, I have no big beef with the Catholic Church — so I don’t want to start a Holy War that sometimes erupts on FR between Catholics and Protestants.
I think you meant to say that Catholics do not WORSHIP saints. Worship is for God, and for God alone. Catholics do VENERATE saints, in a manner similar to the way everyone venerates even non-Church heroes, such as General Patton, or President Lincoln, for eample. Veneration is NOT worship, however. Not even close.
Good point about intercessory prayer. We can always ask the Saints in heaven to pray for us, the same way we can ask each other here on earth to pray for us. However, asking a Saint in heaven to pray FOR us, is not the same as praying TO a Saint. Big diff there. Catholics pray only to God. The news media, and others, frequently fail to make this very important distinction.
>>The news media, and others, frequently fail to make this very important distinction.<<
.
It is either a distinction they’re unaware of or a deliberate attempt to spread erroneous information. Just like the muslim teaching that Christians believe in three gods.
thank you for the correction. I was groping for the correct word and didn’t come up with worship- you did and I thank you for that.
I agree with you about your #1. I’ve corrected many Catholics (as well as Protestants) on that point. Most simply never got beyond elementary education in their religious instruction, and misunderstand- and that is understandable.
The other two points are true also. I don’t blame many people, though, for asking Mary to intercede on their behalf to her Son, on the basis that she is more “comfortable” to speak with, or that she has an “in” with Him. The same comment applies to other Saints, as well.
It seems that many people are finally understanding what the true doctrine of the Catholic Church is about this subject. Not very many years ago that was not true.
Huh? I'm all ears.
Better brush up on your knowledge of intercessors and their intercessions.
Same thing happens to me too (with LOTS of words), more and more as I get older!!
: )
Well, didn't He CREATE all of us?? So, how can Him hearing all of us at once be hard to understand??
I think you may have misinterpreted my post. The frame of reference is that of the “saints” in heaven, not God (Father, Son or Spirit). It pretty clearly states that I only believe that God can hear all of us simultaneously.
,
2. I am not clear on how anyone that isn’t God (Father, Son or Spirit) can hear hundreds of thousands to millions of people simultaneously. >>>
because God allows them to be able to do that.. what every you hold bound on earth will be bound in heaven.
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