2802. THAT THEY WHOM THEY CALL SAINTS [sanctos] [AND] VENERATE AND ADORE AS [SUCH], AS WELL THOSE OF ANCIENT TIMES AS OF THE PRESENT DAY, CAN YIELD NO ASSISTANCE AT ALL TO ANYONE IN THE OTHER LIFE. It has been often granted me to speak with certain of those whom men regard and adore as saints. But this I can testify, and from their mouth, and from those things which I know from living experience, that they are anything else than saints, and that they cannot even help themselves in the least, still less someone [else]: neither by prayers nor intercession; for in the other life [their] prayers in behalf of anyone are not granted, not indeed in the other life in behalf of themselves: yea no one is well treated by means of the reflection that someone may be loved [by the Lord] for other's sake, or for the sake of saints - rather the reverse happens. I can testify that they are able to help no one, nor themselves. This they have told me with living voice, coming to me in order to declare it. - 1748, August 12.