Why are saints important to the Catholic Church?

Roman Catholic Answer:In the Catholic economy the departed saints have not simply ethical significance as patterns of virtuous life, but also religious significance as living and functioning members of the Mystical Body of Christ, who by prayer are in vital contact with the Church militant and suffering. from A Catholic Dictionary 2nd Edition, revised, edited by Donald Attwater. The Church militant is all baptised Christians on earth, the Church Suffering is all souls who have died and are in purgatory. The departed saints are called the Church Triumphant, and are in heaven, where they are more alive now then they were on earth. They are every bit as concerned, if not more about us, then they were when they were here. And, as they are in heaven, and see God face to face, with their wills entirely united to His, they are praying for us constantly.

Their lives on earth are an inspiration and a lesson to us in how to lead our lives.