logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2017
7m 20s

Do Catholics Worship Saints

ASCENSION
About this episode

Fr. Mike Schmitz wants to straighten out some confusion regarding Catholics’ veneration of saints. In this episode, he explains how—far from being icons to worship—statues and paintings of the saints are reminders of what God can do in someone’s life, so honoring the saints doesn’t take away from the glory we give God. It actually brings him greater glory.

You may also like the article “Why Pray to Mary and the Saints?” on The Great Adventure Blog.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Up next
Jul 30
Responding to my Conversation with Kim Zember on Same Sex Attraction
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against h ... Show More
6m 44s
Jul 23
Why We Bury the Dead
Why can't Catholics scatter ashes? Why does the Church ask us to bury the dead? Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the Catholic understanding of honoring the dead, explains why scattering ashes isn't permitted, and reveals what these practices teach us about the dignity of the human perso ... Show More
9m 27s
Jul 16
The Biggest Opportunity Most Catholics Ignore (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Become a saint by saying "yes" to God, starting with the Mass. Fr. Mike Schmitz explains why the Eucharist is God's greatest gift and why the saints made it the center of their lives. If we want to become holy, we can't ignore the place where Jesus gives Himself completely to us. ... Show More
7m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2025
Do the Saints Distract Us from God?
How do the saints help us get closer to God? Dr. Sri addresses common questions and misconceptions about the saints, explaining the difference between worship and honor, emphasizing that Catholics do not worship saints but honor them for their exemplary lives devoted to God. As w ... Show More
20m 57s
Oct 2022
Prayers to the Saints
When we pray, can we pray to the saints? Or should we focus our attention solely on Jesus? Fr. Josh explains what it means to pray to the saints and when to ask for their prayers. Snippet From the Show The saints are the Body of Jesus Christ, just as we are the Body of Christ. Te ... Show More
23m 21s
Dec 2021
Sacramentals vs. Superstitions, and Getting to Know God
Fr. Josh answers questions about how to properly use sacramentals and how to grow in relationship with God when prayer is tough. Snippet From the Show “Catholics sometimes approach sacramentals as if they are magic or having power in and of themselves, instead of approaching them ... Show More
18m 42s
Dec 2024
Day 339: Prayer of Praise (2024)
We examine both prayers of praise and also the “nuggets” for this section on the forms of prayer. Fr. Mike emphasizes that praise is giving God glory for who he is. He also emphasizes that the Eucharist is the ultimate prayer of praise, and that every time we pray we are joining ... Show More
13m 20s
Oct 2023
Are the Saints Unrelatable?
When you hear the stories of the saints is it ever overwhelming? Some of their stories are so extraordinary that they can feel quite unrelatable. Dr. Edward Sri shares some of the saint stories that are very relatable. There are saints who made human mistakes, who struggled to pr ... Show More
24m 41s
Aug 2022
How Can the Saints Hear Us?
Welcome back to this new season of Ask Fr. Josh! In this episode, Fr. Josh responds to a question on how the saints are able to hear us when we pray to them. He also shares about a saint who we can look to to help us break boundaries and serve the Lord beyond our own capacity. Sn ... Show More
31m 51s
Dec 2021
The Statue of Imitations
Statues can make a big difference in helping keep our Faith present in our daily lives, especially for kids as they grow up. But, sometimes religious statues make people uncomfortable. Jeff describes how statues are not idols, but rather tools to remind us of our salvation and th ... Show More
30m 29s
Sep 2025
Ep. 240 | The Saints Aren’t Optional (Here’s Why)
Are you missing out on one of God’s greatest gifts to the Church? In this episode, Fr Columba shares why the saints are essential companions on our journey to heaven. Discover how their lives reveal the fullness of Christ’s love, why ignoring them leaves your faith incomplete, an ... Show More
8m 29s
Jan 2022
Prayers for Souls in Purgatory, St. Michael the Archangel, and Jesus Before the Incarnation
Fr. Josh answers questions about what our prayers do for the souls in purgatory, why St. Michael the Archangel is considered a saint, and what was Jesus' nature as the Second Person of the Trinity before the incarnation. Snippet From the Show The Catholic Church uses the term "sa ... Show More
26m 13s