One of the earliest pieces of evidence comes from the catacombs of Rome, where persecuted Christians buried their dead. These underground cemeteries contain inscriptions that clearly show Christians asking for the prayers of the martyrs.

Examples of Catacomb Inscriptions:

“Petre, ora pro nobis” (Peter, pray for us), found near the tomb of St. Peter.

“Paule et Petre, intercedite pro nobis” (Paul and Peter, intercede for us).

“Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis” (Holy Mary, pray for us), one of the earliest invocations of Mary.

These inscriptions show that from the very beginning, Christians believed the saints were alive in Christ and could intercede for them.

After the martyrdom of St. Polycarp, a disciple of St. John the Apostle, early Christians venerated his relics and sought his intercession. The account of his martyrdom states:

“We took up his bones, more precious than costly stones and more valuable than gold, and laid them in a suitable place. There, when we gather together, the Lord will grant us to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom, both in memory of those who have already contested and for the exercise and preparation of those who will do so hereafter.”

(Martyrdom of Polycarp, c. 156 AD)

This passage reveals that:

1. Early Christians believed in honoring saints and seeking their intercession.

2. The veneration of relics was tied to the belief that saints could pray for the faithful.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD), a Church Father, explicitly taught about praying through the saints:

“Then we commemorate also those who have fallen asleep before us, first, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, that at their prayers and intercessions God would receive our petition.”

(Catechetical Lectures 23:9)

This shows that by the 4th century, the Church was formally praying for the intercession of saints during the liturgy.

St. Martin of Tours (c. 316–397 AD) was widely venerated immediately after his death. People flocked to his tomb to seek his prayers.

Example of a Miraculous Intercession:

A letter from Sulpicius Severus (his biographer) records healings and other miracles attributed to St. Martin’s intercession.

Pilgrims visited his shrine in hopes of receiving his prayers before God.

This devotion spread throughout Gaul (modern France) and influenced how saints' relics were venerated throughout Europe.

After the discovery of the relics of St. Stephen, the first martyr, in 415 AD, Christians sought his prayers. St. Augustine wrote about miracles occurring at St. Stephen’s shrine in North Africa:

“Let us therefore invoke the martyr Stephen with confidence, and let us pray for his intercession, as many already have and have been heard.”

(Sermon 318:5, St. Augustine, 5th Century)

This confirms that praying to saints was already widespread in the early Church.

By the 6th century, devotion to Mary as an intercessor had grown significantly.

Example: The Oldest Marian Prayer (Sub Tuum Praesidium)

A 3rd-century manuscript found in Egypt contains this prayer:

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever-glorious and blessed Virgin.”

This predates the formal definition of Marian doctrines, showing that early Christians believed in Mary’s intercessory power long before later Church councils.

A Continuity of Tradition These historical examples prove that from the earliest days of Christianity, the saints were asked for intercession. This was not an invention of the Middle Ages but a practice rooted in Scripture, the early Church, and the lived experience of Christians across centuries. Thus, Catholics today are simply following what the first Christians did—seeking the prayers of those closest to God.