The Catholic myth of "praying to the saints"

Some, even Catholics, ask: why do we pray to the saints?

In 2021, Pope Francis published a letter addressing a frequently asked question: why do we pray to the saints?

The answer has been included in the title of the letter: "praying in communion with the saints." (1)

In other words, from the Catholic perspective, we do not pray to the saints, but we pray in communion with the Saints. 

St Don Bosco Statue in Turin, outside the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians

Pope Francis explained in the letter: when we pray, we are not praying alone. 

We are praying in history with those who were here before us and those after.  We are also praying with many others who are praying at the same time. This also includes the saints -even though they have departed. 

Holiness is a journey of life, even a brief one, of an encounter with Jesus. A saint is a witness, a man or woman who encountered Jesus and followed Jesus. It is never too late to convert to the Lord who is good and great in love (cf. Ps 103:8).

The Catechism explains that the saints contemplate God and praise Him. At the same time, they constantly look after those they have left behind in this world.  They are therefore the intercessors.  They intercede, and upon our request, they pray for us and bring us to Jesus. Our patron saint is there, waiting to give us a hand.

(1) https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2021/documents/papa-francesco_20210407_udienza-generale.html)