It's a good explanation of what you believe, but it didn't answer my specific question. I understand how a deceased person who has gone on to be with God can pray for his loved ones. I understand how he can in general pray for everyone.
My question was this: "HOW does a saint, like Francis, for example, know about EACH of the prayers that might be prayed asking his assistance?" What I am trying to get at is this: what is the process by which Francis would come to know that GopHack was asking for Francis' assistance?
My question was this: "HOW does a saint, like Francis, for example, know about EACH of the prayers that might be prayed asking his assistance?" Having quickly seen this question, I'll respond by saying that I don't think any of us, this side of the grave, really know. It is a mystery! Consider, how do you respond when somebody asks this same question about God?
God knows all things from all Eternity. God IS all knowledge, and all being, and all Eternity. In redeeming us, Christ makes it possible for us to share in the Divine Life of God. His Saints, people who have "fought the good fight" and have now been raised to the fullness of Life in God, undoubtedly know and do things all of us are incapable of understanding.