Anonymous ID: d4415b Sept. 12, 2025, 4:03 p.m. No.23589793   ๐Ÿ—„๏ธ.is ๐Ÿ”—kun   >>9814

>>23589670

How to Become a Saint

In the Roman Catholic Church, the process of becoming a saint, known as canonization, is a formal procedure that recognizes a deceased person as a saint, affirming they are in heaven and worthy of universal veneration.

This process begins after a person's death and requires a minimum of five years to pass, allowing time for emotions to settle and for the candidate's legacy to be assessed objectively.

However, the Pope can waive this waiting period, as was done for Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.

 

The process involves several stages. First, the local bishop investigates the candidate's life, gathering evidence of their faith, writings, and reputation for holiness, typically five years after death.

If the evidence supports the candidate, the case is sent to the Vaticanโ€™s Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and the individual is formally named a "Servant of God".

 

The next stage involves the Congregation reviewing the evidence. If the candidate is found to have lived a life of "heroic virtue" or was martyred for their faith, the Pope may declare them "Venerable".

To be beatified and declared "Blessed," a miracle attributed to the candidate's intercession after their death must be verified.

This miracle is usually an instantaneous, permanent, and complete healing that is scientifically unexplainable, confirmed by a panel of doctors and theologians before final approval by the Pope.

Martyrs are an exception and can be beatified without a miracle.

 

The final step, canonization, requires a second verified miracle attributed to the candidate's intercession after beatification.

Once this is confirmed and approved by the Pope, the individual is declared a saint and can be publicly venerated throughout the entire Catholic Church.

The Church teaches that canonization does not "make" someone a saint; rather, it formally recognizes that God has already made them a saint.

 

It is important to note that the term "saint" can also refer to all Christians who are united with Christ through baptism and are striving for holiness, as all believers are called to be saints in a general sense.

However, the formal process described above applies specifically to canonized saints recognized by the Church.