Saints

Roman Catholic Saints Why Are We So Intrigued?

Why are we so intrigued by saints? Because we know that if a mortal human being can achieve saint status in their lives, so can we! They have something special about them (and each is unique) that sets them apart, but then again, so do we.

They’ve climbed to the greatest heights and are very worthy of our admiration. As you read through these pages, you’ll see just how admirable, special and yet ordinary in many ways these saints are.

Having a strong life purpose is one quality-a big quality-that distinguishes saints from most of us. What is the life purpose of a saint? To be a saint! This compelling desire for sanctity motivated all the saints, and their resolve invited a divine touch. However, determination alone does not create saints. God makes saints. The word ‘Saint’ comes from a Latin root that means “holy” or “reserved for God.” It is the presence of the divine in human beings causes them to be holy and transforms them into saints.

Roman Catholic Saints Saints and Martyrs

Our own union with God makes us more like Saints than we may realize. Grace gives us all the potential to become saints. In fact, if we don’t aim for it, we lose out. The saints of the early church were martyrs. Martyrs are men and women who died for their faith. How did this come about? Christians began to remember the dates of the martyrs’ deaths as their birthday into heaven, visit their tombs to ask for their intercession, write their stories, and enroll their names on lists called martyrologies. When the persecutions subsided, around the fourth century, the church started to recognize women and men who had not been martyred, but who would have given their lives for Christ had they had the chance. Over the next six centuries, holy virgins, monks, lay theologians, widows, priests, and bishops had their names added to the lists of saints.

Pope John Paul, II made some big changes to the canonization process in 1983. Now, the canonization process doesn't actually begin until after the death of someone a Catholic person regards as truly holy. The process may not even begin until well after death. So, what are the canonization steps?

• It all begins at home. After being 'nominated,' a local bishop investigates the candidate's life and writings for heroic virtue (or martyrdom) and orthodoxy of doctrine. This can be a lengthy process, of course. But, let's say you pass. Go to step 2...
• A panel of religion experts at the Vatican evaluates the candidate. Once again, this can be a length process.
• There is a panel with cardinals of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints who must approve the sainthood nominee. At this point, the pope can proclaim the candidate "venerable." A venerable candidate means that they have either been martyred or had exercised Christian virtues to a heroic degree. Is the process complete? Nope-read on...
• The next step is call 'Beatification.' Just when you think your nominee is ready to become a saint, you've got to prove one miracle- except in the case of martyrs. What about this miracle? This miracle must occur after the candidate’s death and as a result of a specific petition to the candidate.

So, it is easy to get caught up in the steps, but remember that God chooses saints.

The Title of Saint Tells Us: A Saint lived a holy life. The Saint is in Heaven and is to be honored by the universal Church. The process of Canonization process does not MAKE a person a saint. The process simply recognizes what God has already done.

I can think of a few people in my life who would qualify as a saint-as far as I am concerned, anyway. In reality, you can probably gather just how long it takes for the canonization process. Imagine just how many truly holy people simply haven't been through the canonization process.