Did you know that in every altar in every Catholic Church there are relics of saints buried? This is a tradition in the Church held since masses were first celebrated upon tombs of the early Church martyrs. Ask your pastor whose relics are buried within the altar of your particular church. These saints are special holy intercessors for your prayers to call upon—especially during Holy Mass.
Altar Prayer Partners
Having recently moved to a new parish, I’ve discovered that my intercessory prayer partners are St. Bernard of Clairvoux, St. Dominic Guzman, and Pope St. Pius V. Calling upon any heavenly intercessors adds weight to our prayers. As Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Mt 18:20 NRSVCE). These saints intercede for us before God and are there with us at mass as members of the corporeal body of Christ.
Altar Arsenal
All those in Heaven, Purgatory, and those united with Our Lord on earth are members of his one body. Calling upon canonized saints – those saints recognized by the Church as having exemplary holiness – gives extra “umph” to our prayers. In Tobit 12:15, the Archangel Raphael professes that he is one of the angels who presents “the prayers of the saints” and enters into “the presence of the glory of the Holy One.” And, psalm 37:28 states that God “will not forsake his saints.” Who wouldn’t want this added saintly intercessory prayer power arsenal for one’s needs and supplications before God?
What’s in your altar??
