To become a saint in the Catholic Church typically refers to the formal process of canonization, a rigorous investigation that leads to a deceased person being officially recognized as a saint. This multi-stage procedure confirms that the individual lived a life of exceptional holiness and virtue, and is now in heaven, serving as an example for the faithful.
Understanding Sainthood in the Catholic Church
In the Catholic tradition, a "saint" is someone who is believed to be in heaven, having lived a life of extraordinary virtue and fidelity to God. While all baptized Christians are called to holiness, formal sainthood, or canonization, is a special recognition by the Church of individuals who have reached heroic virtue and whose lives offer an inspiring model for others.
The Official Canonization Process
The path to sainthood is a multi-step process, often spanning many years or even centuries. It involves extensive investigation into the candidate's life, writings, and reputation for holiness, as well as the verification of miracles attributed to their intercession. The three primary steps in this official Church procedure are: Venerable, Blessed, and Saint.
Here's a breakdown of the stages:
| Stage | Title Granted | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Venerable | The deceased person is recognized formally by the Pope as having lived a heroically virtuous life (practicing theological virtues like faith, hope, and charity, and cardinal virtues like prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance to an extraordinary degree) or having offered their life (oblatio vitae) in an act of supreme charity, leading to their premature death. No miracles are required at this stage. |
| Stage 2 | Blessed | At least one verified miracle (usually a scientifically inexplicable healing) attributed to the candidate's intercession after their death. For martyrs, a miracle is generally not required for beatification. |
| Stage 3 | Saint | A second verified miracle attributed to the candidate's intercession, which must have occurred after their beatification. For martyrs, one miracle after beatification is typically required for canonization. |
Step 1: Servant of God & Venerable
The process begins at the local diocesan level, usually after at least five years have passed since the candidate's death. The local bishop opens an investigation into the person's life, writings, and reputation for holiness. If the investigation finds sufficient merit, the candidate is declared a Servant of God.
The documentation from this investigation is then sent to the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. A panel of theologians, bishops, and cardinals meticulously examines the evidence. If they determine that the individual lived a life of heroic virtue (faith, hope, charity, and the cardinal virtues practiced to an extraordinary degree) or offered their life in an act of profound charity leading to their death, the Pope can then formally declare the person Venerable. This means their heroic virtues are recognized, making them worthy of imitation, but not yet public veneration.
Step 2: Blessed (Beatification)
For a Venerable person to be declared "Blessed," a verified miracle attributed to their intercession is typically required. This miracle must have occurred after the candidate's death and after their intercession was invoked. Often, this is a medically inexplicable healing that is immediate, complete, and permanent. The alleged miracle undergoes a rigorous scientific and theological investigation by experts, including doctors and theologians, to rule out any natural explanations.
Once a miracle is officially recognized by the Vatican and approved by the Pope, the Venerable person is beatified and given the title Blessed. This allows for public veneration, usually limited to a specific region, diocese, or religious order.
Step 3: Saint (Canonization)
To become a "Saint," a second verified miracle is generally required, and this miracle must have occurred after the candidate's beatification. Similar to the first miracle, it undergoes strict scientific and theological scrutiny.
Upon the recognition of a second miracle, the Pope formally declares the Blessed person a Saint through a ceremony called canonization. Canonization signifies that the person is certainly in heaven and worthy of universal veneration throughout the Catholic Church, serving as an example for all the faithful. Their feast day may be added to the universal liturgical calendar.
Key Elements of Sainthood
- Heroic Virtue: The bedrock of sainthood, requiring a life lived consistently and extraordinarily in union with God's will.
- Miracles: Seen as divine confirmation of the candidate's presence in heaven and their powerful intercession with God. They serve as objective signs.
- Reputation for Holiness: The individual's life must inspire others and be held in high regard by the faithful, prompting people to pray for their intercession.
- Lengthy Process: The investigation is thorough and deliberate, often taking decades or even centuries to complete, ensuring the authenticity and certainty of the declaration.
