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It can seem as if Heaven and its Saints are hundreds of miles away from Earth. They are very close to us. The Lord invites us to ask for the prayers of the Saints with as much confidence, and certainty of their nearness, as when we call over a fence to ask the help of a neighbour, or pick up the phone to ask for the prayers of a close relation.

He indicated His Holy Mother, and all the angels and saints, saying that we have many holy friends longing to help us, and need not be lonely.

All my anxiety was stopped by the touch of His hand. He showed me my dignity, as His friend, and urged me to trust.

All who receive life on earth have Angels as their friends and companions.

During the Holy Sacrifice, we join the tremendous joy and mutual love of all the saints, and of our dear departed relatives and friends.

He climbed into the innermost room of my heart, to sit silently in companionship, holding my hand.

The more I treasure Christ's friendship and believe in His Gospel, the more frequently He supports me - by His power - at a great height, before the Father.

We who stand before the altar have been gathered here by God Himself. We live in His glorious friendship, Christ in our midst.

Christ asked me to speak like an ignorant child, but one who is close to Him because of faith, repentance and friendship.

Christ asked me to speak like an ignorant child, but one who is close to Him because of faith, repentance and friendship.

A sturdy jetty serves a purpose where little boats moor alongside; and a steady marriage enables people, by their close contact with others, to encourage them in holiness.

The Church puts out living shoots of holiness to flower in every age. Those 'shoots' are the Saints who, alive with God in Heaven, are our contemporaries and beloved friends, even though they emerged at different times.

The Church puts out living shoots of holiness to flower in every age. Those 'shoots' are the Saints who, alive with God in Heaven, are our contemporaries and beloved friends, even though they emerged at different times.

True friends in Christ can help to draw one another closer to God's heart. Even at a distance of many miles, some souls can soar 'upwards' to God, together, by God's Will and power. God has shown each when the other is praying, and then enables each to help the other.

Someone who welcomes another person to pray with them is acting in a friendly, helpful manner which brings great benefits.

Whoever prays with an open heart is like a friend who offers a kind greeting instead of speaking through a kitchen hatch.

What does the 'eternity' of hell or heaven mean? It means 'captured unchangeably', whether in selfishness or a state of grace; either being held eternally without God, by the free choices of an individual soul, or being held forever in friendship with God, to the degree to which the soul enjoyed at the moment of death. As a fly, suddenly imprisoned by a drop of amber, is held 'forever' in the state it was in when the liquid fell upon it, so the soul retains forever its state at the moment of death - even though those held in God's friendship can undergo some purification.

Christ wants us to pay attention to the Saints: to their living relationship with us, their feast days, shrines, relics and statues. We should treasure these as we treasure what connects us with earthly family and friends. We could ask the Saints for their prayers, with confidence in their love and God's goodness.

Anyone on earth can choose to call out for God's help, hoping to be heard. Yet those baptised into Christ and made adopted children of God now live in His Light. They can speak with God as with a friend. They have a sure hope of Heaven if they remain faithful to the end. Christ's Spirit, living in them, gives knowledge of God, intimacy and hope, and is a 'lamp' for the way ahead.

A person who is too preoccupied with his own interests - even good things - and who does not listen to those who deserve his love and loyalty, is like a swimmer with a snorkel who chooses to cut himself off from his friends nearby.