Worship of saints

There is a point at which veneration of saints violates the principle of monotheism. Belief in relics of the saints or contemplation of their symbols can become idolatrous. The church doesn’t normally object because they can’t tell whether one’s prayer to Saint Mary or Alphonsus is a anything but a supplement to praying to the Lord. People who are praying may not even realize they are committing mortal sins. In this way, wayward flocks have quietly left the church without knowing it, forming unnamed religions devoted to apostles, martyrs, evangelists, and patron saints. In regard to our investigation at the Great Eternal Saint Marks Church of Great Neck, New York, Mrs. McGillicuddly (not her real name) said, “I’m sure it’s innocent enough.”