How To Become a Saint
The word Saint comes from the Latin word Sanctus which means “Holy”. To be a saint, one therefore needs to be holy. The question thus becomes “How do you become Holy?”…
Simply put, one becomes holy by becoming like God. We become like God by His grace which is communicated to us via the 7 Sacraments, by Prayer, by Faith and Good Works, by avoiding sin and by imitating the lives of Saints who have gone before us with courage. If we do these things and persevere to the end, then we will live with God in heaven for eternity. For help in becoming Holy, becoming a Saint, check out our Spiritual Warfare section.
A saint is therefore a holy person in heaven with God. They are the Church Triumphant.
Certain of these people however are put before us by the Church as examples of Christian virtue to emulate and strive for; and as people whose holiness lends sway with God and who can intercede with God for our benefit.
These people are recognised by the Church to be Saints after a thorough investigative process known as Canonisation.
“The greatest saint is not the one who performs miracles, but the one who loves the most.”
– St. Teresa of Avila
The Process of Canonisation as a Saint
The canonisation process in the Catholic Church is a sacred and meticulous journey towards declaring someone as a saint, a person who has lived a life of exemplary holiness and virtue. Canonisation is a complex and multi-step process that involves thorough investigation, meticulous documentation, and discernment by the Church authorities. In this article, we will explore the canonisation process, the steps involved, the criteria for becoming a saint, the significance of this process, and the timeline of canonisation.
Step 1: Servant of God
The canonisation process typically begins at the diocesan level, where the local bishop opens an investigation into the life, virtues, and holiness of a person who has passed away. The person is referred to as the “Servant of God.” The bishop appoints a postulator, who is responsible for gathering evidence and testimonies regarding the Servant of God’s life, virtues, writings, and reputation for holiness. This evidence is presented for review and approval to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, a department within the Vatican previously known as the Congregation for the Causes of Saints but which was reorganised by Pope Francis’ Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium.
Step 2: Venerable
If the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints approves the cause of the Servant of God, and the Pope confirms the Servant of God’s heroic virtues, the person is declared “Venerable.” This declaration signifies that the person lived a life of exemplary holiness, virtue, and heroic sanctity.
Step 3: Beatification
The next step in the canonisation process is beatification, which is the declaration that the Venerable person is worthy of veneration and public devotion in a specific region or religious order. For beatification, the Vatican typically requires the documentation of a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable person. This miracle must be verified through a rigorous investigation and authenticated by medical, theological, and canonical experts. If the Pope approves the beatification and confirms that the miracle was indeed the result of the intercession of the Venerable person, the person is declared “Blessed” and can be venerated publicly in the region or religious order for which the beatification was approved.
Step 4: Canonisation & CULTUS CONFIRMATION
However, for canonisation, which is the final step in the process of becoming a saint, another miracle attributed to the intercession of the Blessed person must be authenticated and approved by the Pope.
Once a second miracle is confirmed and approved by the Vatican, the Pope can proceed with the canonisation of the Blessed person. The Pope declares the person a “Saint” through a formal canonisation ceremony, during which the person’s name is added to the official list of saints, and the person is declared worthy of universal veneration and devotion throughout the Catholic Church.
Criteria for Canonisation
The Catholic Church has specific criteria for canonisation, which include the following:
- Heroic Virtues: The person must have lived a life of exemplary holiness, virtue, and heroic sanctity. This includes the practice of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, as well as the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
- Orthodoxy: The person must have held and lived in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic faith, without any doctrinal errors or heresies.
- Miracles: Miracles must be attributed to the intercession of the person after their death. These miracles must be verifiable, credible, and confirmed by medical, theological, and canonical experts. Miracles are considered as signs of the person’s intercession in heaven and are seen as evidence of their sanctity.
- Cult Following: The person must have a widespread and enduring cult following, which means that the person is venerated by the faithful, and their reputation for holiness has been sustained over time. This includes the devotion of the faithful through prayers, pilgrimages, and popular devotion.
“The fire of love for God is what ignites the soul of a saint.”
– St. Augustine
Significance of Canonisation
The canonisation process holds significant importance in the Catholic Church. The declaration of someone as a saint is considered a solemn proclamation by the Church that the person is in heaven, enjoying the beatific vision, and can intercede for the faithful on earth. Saints are considered as models of holiness, examples of virtue, and powerful intercessors who can aid and guide the faithful in their spiritual journey. Canonisation also confirms the person’s teachings, writings, and example as in line with the Catholic faith, providing an official stamp of approval from the Church.
Timeline of Canonisation
The canonisation process is a complex and time-consuming journey, and it can take years, or even centuries, for someone to be declared a saint. The timeline of canonisation can vary, and there is no fixed duration for the entire process. However, process was streamlined after the pontificate of Pope St John Paul II to be much quicker than in the past. The timeline of canonisation may include:
Diocesan Inquiry:
The diocesan inquiry, which is the initial investigation into the life, virtues, and holiness of the Servant of God, can take several years to gather evidence, testimonies, and documentation.
DICASTERY for the Causes of Saints Review:
The review and approval process at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints can take additional years, as the documentation and evidence are carefully examined, and the cause is evaluated by theological, historical, and canonical experts.
Beatification:
The process of beatification can take several years, as the authentication of miracles attributed to the intercession of the Venerable person requires thorough investigation and verification.
Canonisation:
Once the second miracle is confirmed and approved, the Pope may proceed with the canonisation process, which can involve planning for the canonisation ceremony, scheduling, and other logistical considerations.
However, it is important to note that the timeline of canonisation can vary widely, and some causes may take longer than others due to various factors, such as the availability of evidence, complexity of the case, and other considerations.
“The saints did not all begin well, but they all ended well.”
– St. John Vianney
Conclusion
The canonisation process is a solemn and intricate journey towards declaring someone as a saint in the Catholic Church. It involves thorough investigation, meticulous documentation, and discernment by the Church authorities at various levels. The criteria for canonisation include heroic virtues, orthodoxy, miracles, and a widespread cult following. The process can take years, or even centuries, and involves several steps, including the declaration of Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed, and finally, Canonised Saint. The canonisation of a saint holds great significance in the Catholic Church as it confirms the person’s holiness, provides an example of virtue, and acknowledges their intercession in heaven.
“To become a saint is not a privilege for the few, but a vocation for everyone.”
– St. Therese of Lisieux
Why not learn about the lives of the saints you were named after in Baptism and/or Confirmation, or the saint of the day of your birth, or simply read about the saint of today in the liturgical calendar.