Catholic_Church Saint

a portrait depicting saint francis of assisi italian artist cimabue (1240–1302)

according catholic church, saint in heaven, whether recognized on earth or not. title saint denotes person has been formally canonized, is, officially , authoritatively declared saint, church holder of keys of kingdom of heaven, , therefore believed in heaven grace of god. there many persons church believes in heaven have not been formally canonized , otherwise titled saints because of fame of holiness. word saint denotes living christians.

in book saint of day, editor leonard foley, ofm says this: [saints ] surrender god s love generous approach total surrender of jesus church recognizes them heroes , heroines worthy held our inspiration. remind church holy, can never stop being holy , called show holiness of god living life of christ.

the catholic church teaches not make or create saints, rather recognizes them. proofs of heroicity required in process of beatification serve illustrate in detail general principles exposed above upon proof of holiness or likeness god.

on 3 january 993, pope john xv became first pope proclaim person saint : on petition of german ruler, canonized bishop ulrich of augsburg. before time, popular cults , or venerations, of saints had been local , spontaneous. pope john xviii subsequently permitted cult of 5 polish martyrs. pope benedict viii later declared armenian hermit symeon saint, not until pontificate of pope innocent iii popes reserved exclusive authority canonize saints. walter of pontoise last person in western europe canonized authority other pope: hugh de boves, archbishop of rouen, canonized him in 1153. thenceforth decree of pope alexander iii in 1170 reserved prerogative of canonization pope, in far latin church concerned.

one source claims there on 10,000 named saints , beatified people history, roman martyrology , orthodox sources, no definitive head count .

alban butler published lives of saints in 1756, including total of 1,486 saints. latest revision of book, edited jesuit herbert thurston , british author donald attwater, contains lives of 2,565 saints. monsignor robert sarno, official of congregation causes of saints of holy see, expressed impossible give exact number of saints.

the veneration of saints, in latin cultus, or cult of saints , describes particular popular devotion or entrustment of 1 s self particular saint or group of saints. although term worship used, used older english connotation of honoring or respecting (dulia) person. according church, divine worship in strict sense reserved god (latria) , never saints. 1 permitted ask saints intercede or pray god persons still on earth, 1 can ask on earth pray him.

a saint may designated patron saint of particular cause, profession, or locale, or invoked protector against specific illnesses or disasters, popular custom , official declarations of church. saints not believed have power of own, granted god. relics of saints respected, or venerated , similar veneration of holy images , icons. practice in past centuries of venerating relics of saints intention of obtaining healing god through intercession taken church. example, american deacon claimed in 2000 bl. john henry cardinal newman interceded god cure him of physical illness. deacon, jack sullivan, asserted after addressing newman cured of spinal stenosis in matter of hours. in 2009, panel of theologians concluded sullivan s recovery result of prayer newman. according church, deemed miracle, medical recovery must instantaneous, not attributable treatment, disappear good.

once person has been canonized, deceased body of saint considered holy relic. remains of saints called holy relics , used in churches. saints personal belongings may used relics. of saints have special symbol tradition, e.g., saint lawrence, deacon , martyr, identified gridiron because believed have been burned death on one. symbol found, instance, in canadian heraldry of office responsible st. lawrence seaway.

stages of canonization

formal canonization lengthy process, of many years or centuries. first stage in process investigation of candidate s life expert. after this, official report on candidate submitted bishop of pertinent diocese , more study undertaken. information sent congregation causes of saints of holy see evaluation @ universal level of church. if application approved candidate may granted title venerable . further investigation may lead candidate s beatification title blessed , elevation class of beati. next, , @ minimum, proof of 2 important miracles obtained god through intercession of candidate required formal canonization saint. these miracles must posthumous. finally, after of these procedures complete, pope may canonize candidate saint veneration universal church.