Do Catholics worship statues and images of saints?
No. Catholics do not worship statues, paintings or crucifixes. Worship belongs strictly to God alone.
Catholic veneration of sacred images is based on the mystery of the Incarnation. In the Old Testament, God had no visible body, but when Jesus Christ became man, the invisible God became visible in human flesh. Creating images of Christ, Mary and the saints is a tangible way to remember and honour the persons they depict.
Just as looking at a photograph of a beloved mother or deceased father is an expression of affection for the person (and not love for paper or pixels), venerating a crucifix or statue is directed entirely to the person of Christ or the saint. Sacred images serve as spiritual reminders, lifting our minds towards heavenly realities.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2132
- Colossians 1:15
- Exodus 25:18-20
Awaiting review by the chaplaincy. Written in our own words; the Church's own texts are the authority.