[livius]

Actually, the function of the Church is not to "make" the saint, but simply to proclaim that this person has indeed been found to have lead a very worthy life, have had special gifts, and is worthy of veneration. The latter does not mean worship, but simply respect and the honor you would show to any living person who you thought to live a very holy life. People are not canonized (that is, declared saints) in lifetime because - well, you never know. Death seals whatever you have done, however, and it is then that the Church begins to examine their lives.

Catholics believe that the saints are our "older brothers" in Heaven. That is, we don't pray to them the way we pray to God, but simply ask them to pray to God for us and to intercede on our behalf.

As for Joan of Arc, she was not a fruitloop, but somebody living through an enormously difficult time in history. Not all saints have visions (in fact, most don't), and most people who claim to have visions are looked at with suspicion by the Church. But in canonizing her, the Church declared that her visions were probably genuine. I say "probably," because the Church does not demand that a particular vision be accepted or even that a particular saint be venerated. In an sense, all the Church is doing is saying that there is no obstacle to this, and those who want to do so may safely do so, without fearing that they are being mislead by Satan.

Hope this helps.

[CourtneyLeigh]

"Catholics believe that the saints are our "older brothers" in Heaven. That is, we don't pray to them the way we pray to God, but simply ask them to pray to God for us and to intercede on our behalf. "

This is a true statement on Catholicism. However, my personal observation of Southern American Catholics, they have been known to bring offerings of candles, incense, and flowers with their prayers to the feet of the statued saints.

Did you know that nowhere in the Bible is any dead man given credence to be an interceding or mediator on our behalf to God.

Yes, there are thousands of statements where parents, disciples, and spouses pray FOR their loved ones. However, God expects us to be accountable for ourselves.

Christ was the only mediator given unto us by the Creator. Thru Him and only Him are our prayers, praise, and repentance heard. He was alone on the cross, the sacrifice was for our sin, by Him and Him alone.

If God really wanted us to ask someone else to help us with our prayers, he would have sent more men to die for our sins.

There are many Scriptures in the King James bible and further translations that state these things.
I've never read the Roman Catholic Bible, so I've no education on what you are taught by the doctrines of the Vatican, so I don't mean to argue, when I only have my knowledge and opinions to go by.

These are just some thoughts.

Here are a few verses to look at if you feel it's of any interest to you:
John 14:6;
Matthew 6:6;
Ephesians 2:13-18;
I Samuel 2:11-26;

and there are thousands of them..! Sometimes there's just so much truth and information in the Bible, most people give up on knowing the whole of it. Just a thought.

Well, hope this all makes since.

Take it easy.
Courtney