Changes

The saints follow Christ in interceding for us with God the Father (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25); also the act of ''[[dulia]]'' (reverence) is performed not to obtain '''''from''''' the saints but '''''through their prayers''''' what '''only God''' can bestow. The saints, knowing of man's needs and that Christ as [[Mediation|Mediator]] bestows all favors of grace through the mediating ministry of [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]], His Mother, unite their own prayers with the prayers of Mary, direct them to Christ the Lord, and aid us as intermediaries.

The saints follow Christ in interceding for us with God the Father (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25); also the act of ''[[dulia]]'' (reverence) is performed not to obtain '''''from''''' the saints but '''''through their prayers''''' what '''only God''' can bestow. The saints, knowing of man's needs and that Christ as [[Mediation|Mediator]] bestows all favors of grace through the mediating ministry of [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]], His Mother, unite their own prayers with the prayers of Mary, direct them to Christ the Lord, and aid us as intermediaries.

This intercession of the saints is an instance in which the Church on earth and the Church in heaven (the ''Church Militant'' and the ''Church Triumphant''), praying through Christ alone, acts for the salvation of mankind as well as for the individual members.

This intercession of the saints is an instance in which the Church on earth and the Church in heaven (the ''Church Militant'' and the ''Church Triumphant''), praying '''through Christ alone''', acts for the salvation of mankind as well as for the individual members.

See Matthew 22:31-32; 2 Peter 1:15; Revelation 8:1-4; 20:4-5; also 2 Maccabees 15:11-16; Tobit 12:15.

See Matthew 22:31-32; 2 Peter 1:15; Revelation 8:1-4; 20:4-5; also 2 Maccabees 15:11-16; Tobit 12:15.