Why do Catholics pray to saints?

Catholics ask saints to intercede with God on their behalf, just as we ask fellow Christians to pray for us. The saints are alive in Christ (Mk 12:27) and their intercession is powerful. The Church teaches this practice is a treasured part of the communion of saints (CCC 956).

One Mediator, Many Intercessors

Asking a saint to pray is not a detour around Jesus — it is an expression of trust in the Body of Christ that He himself established, a Body that death cannot divide.