Bernadette —

While some parishes are named for Christ (Sacred Heart, Divine Savior, Holy Cross, Good Shepherd, etc.), most parishes are named after a patron saint. A patron saint is just that,
a patron, a "friend at court". We have lost the idea of patron since we no longer have kings,
but a patron is a person who looks out for your interests and sponsors you. In the Church,
a patron saint is a person you choose to be the one to pray especially for your parish or yourself.

Mary Ann

Hi, Bernadette —

You said:
She asked why most Catholic churches are named for saints or the Blessed Virgin Mary instead of Christ?

Because Christ, who became incarnate (a really man) for us, is glorified and honored THROUGH the holy lives of both men and women who imitated the life Our Lord Himself.

St. Paul encouraged us to imitate the saints in his epistles.

The primary goal of the Church on earth is the salvation of souls. The Church, after careful background studies, holds certain people up, who have lived very holy lives, as models of holiness for the members of the Church to follow. We know, for certain, these people are Saints, and the Church has affirmed, they are in Heaven.

The prime model of holiness, is our Immaculate, sinless, but 100 percent human mother,
Mary, Jesus's (and our) Mother.

We don't worship:

• Mary or
• the saints

We honor them and ask for their assistance, through prayer. Besides, there ARE Churches named after Jesus — HIS SACRED HEART.

I remember your previous question, and it sounds like what your sister-in-law has learned about the Church has been from either:

• ex-Catholics who left the Church and never knew the faith or
• someone, in general, who has a moral disagreement with the Church on one or more of her Teachings

If your sister-in-law wants to KNOW what Catholics REALLY believe, tell her to check out my
FREE Catechism of the Catholic Church Program for Protestants here:
http://www.askacatholic.com/CCCFPP

Mike