Day 344: Guides for Prayer

The witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom, [Heb 12:1] especially those whom the Church recognizes as saints, share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives, the transmission of their writings, and their prayer today. They contemplate God, praise him, and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were "put in charge of many things." [Mt 25:21] Their intercession is their most exalted service to God's plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world. CCC 2683

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses guides for prayer. By this, it means things such as the home, the "domestic church," where we first learn prayer from our families as children and sustain our prayer lives later on. Priests and Religious lead by personal example, and should assist in the formation of prayer lives in all Christians, with trusted and experienced spiritual directors taking perhaps a more direct role. Catechesis, particularly of the young but also for adults needing such, helps in forming a proper prayer life, as well as reading and meditating upon the written Word of God. Finally, prayer groups are most helpful. I personally find TMIY to be very useful and supportive for prayer, just a group of ordinary guys in the parish coming together for Christ, but there are many others.

The saints, though, are our models for prayer, not only in the examples they gave in how they lived their lives for Christ here on earth, but in the unceasing prayers of praise to God and intercession for those of us battling against sin in the Church Militant. There are many I respect and look to for guidance, but my favorites have to be Sts. John & Matthew the Apostles, Augustine of Hippo, John Chrysostom, Patrick of Ireland, Francis of Assisi, Thomas More, Charles de Foucauld, (Blessed) Miguel Pro, and John Paul II. Lately, I've grown interested in Sts. Stephen Protomartyr, Moses the Black, Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, and the 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya.

The Catechism Compendium summarizes how the saints are guides for prayer:

The saints are our models of prayer. We also ask them to intercede before the Holy Trinity for us and for the whole world. Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan. In the communion of saints, throughout the history of the Church, there have developed different types of spiritualities that teach us how to live and to practice the way of prayer. (#564)

Finally, Brother Ignatius Pio and Fr. Mark-Mary have a good video explaining why we pray to saints: