October 28, 2009

Q: What is the process for being named a saint?

A: A: When the Church recognizes Christians as saints, or “canonizes” them, she is “solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God’s grace” (“Catechism of the Catholic Church,” No. 868).  The Church recognizes some Christians as saints in order to highlight their example of Christian holiness and to ask for their intercession in heaven.

After a person who lives a life of holiness dies, it is sometimes the case that people continue to remember that person’s deep relationship with God.  If, after a period of at least five years, such memory remains with a community, the community might petition the diocesan bishop to begin an investigation into that life.  Such an investigation considers the life, relationships, witness and writings of the person, who is called a Servant of God once the investigation has begun.  If the diocesan bishop believes that the Servant of God truly lived a life of exemplary holiness, the case can forwarded to the Congregation for Causes of Saints at the Holy See.

When the case is in Rome, a similar process is considered.  Theological experts consider the writings and witness of the Servant of God, and many bishops are consulted in the process.  During this process, a Servant of God might be declared to be Venerable, which indicates “heroic virtue,” and Blessed, which indicates that the person may be publicly venerated in some part of the Church.  Ordinarily, the Church uses miraculous healings as a sign of the intercession of Servants of God.  While miracles are not absolutely necessary for canonization, the Church does consider miraculous signs to be an indicator that a person is interceding with God.

Ultimately, the Holy Father considers whether the life of the Christian is worthy of the public veneration and honor of the universal Church, and if so, the person is declared a saint.
It is important to remember that holiness is something each of us called to.  Whether the Church declares us to be a saint or not, each of us should pray for our brothers and sisters, and should strive to be models of the love of Jesus Christ.

This week’s apologist is J.D. Flynn, J.C.L., canon lawyer and vice chancellor for the Archdiocese of Denver. E-mail your question to: editor@archden.org; mail to: DCR Editor, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210.