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Canonization. ______________________________________. How you become a saint. Saints. People worth admiring Venerating = admiring Miracles: God working through them “Stages” of sainthood Venerable: lived a good & holy life Blessed: one miracle Saint: two miracles. Canonization.
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Canonization ______________________________________ How you become a saint
Saints • People worth admiring • Venerating = admiring • Miracles: God working through them • “Stages” of sainthood • Venerable: lived a good & holy life • Blessed: one miracle • Saint: two miracles
Canonization • Canonize = Make a saint • Catholic • Eastern Orthodox • Recognize that they went straight to heaven • 50 years after earthly death • Prevent emotional attachment • Scandals play out
Process • Originally: no formal process • Local authorities declare saints • Eastern Orthodox still does this • St. Cyprian changed that • Due process • Don’t recognize an undeserving person
Process • Martyrs get a pass • Automatic saints • Had to be proven • “Confessors” – witness with life instead of death • Needed the approval of local authorities
Modern Process • Catholic Church • Rome (Holy See) only • Thorough investigation • Universal veneration declared by Rome • Older tradition: the “Promoter of the Faith” • “Devil’s Advocate” • Case against canonization • Eliminated in 1983
Modern Process • Servant of God • Local bishop declares this • Responding to the faithful • Wait 5 years • Congregation for the Causes of the Saints • Investigate further • Decide future progress
Move through the stages • Venerable • Person demonstrated all virtues • “Heroic in virtue” • Blessed (“Worthy of belief”) • Pope declares martyrdom • Find evidence of one miracle
Full Canonization • 2 miracles from saint’s “intercession” • Saint’s prayers on behalf of us • “Beatific Vision” – communion with God • All eventually reach heaven (after purification) • Saints don’t need purification • Pre-1500 saints can be re-confirmed
Totals • No definitive count of saints • Somewhere more than 10k • Pope Francis I has canonized: 803 • Popes John Paul II & John XXIII in April, 2014