The process of becoming a saint in the Catholic Church is a long and rigorous journey that involves multiple stages of investigation, verification, and approval. This path, known as canonization, ensures that only those who have lived lives of exceptional holiness and virtue are officially recognized as saints.
Understanding the steps to sainthood provides insight into how the Church determines individuals who serve as models of faith for believers. Below, we break down the key stages of this process in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
1. The Meaning of Sainthood
Before diving into the process, it is important to understand what sainthood means. A saint, in the Catholic tradition, is a person who has lived a holy life and is believed to be in heaven, interceding for those on earth. While many people may live virtuous lives, the Church formally recognizes only a select few as saints through a process called canonization.
2. The Four Major Steps to Sainthood
The Catholic Church follows a structured process to determine whether someone qualifies for sainthood. This process consists of four main stages:
Step 1: Becoming a Servant of God
The first official step in the path to sainthood begins after a person has passed away. If they were known for their holiness and virtue, a cause for their canonization can be introduced.
Requirements for the First Step:
- At least five years must pass after the candidate’s death before the process can begin (although the Pope can waive this rule in special cases).
- A bishop from the candidate’s diocese must initiate the investigation.
- A formal request is submitted to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints, outlining the candidate’s life and virtues.
Once the Vatican accepts the request, the individual is given the title ‘Servant of God.’
Step 2: Becoming Venerable
After a person is declared a Servant of God, a thorough investigation begins to determine whether they lived a life of heroic virtue.
Key Elements of This Step:
- A Church-appointed group of historians and theologians reviews the person’s writings, speeches, and actions to ensure they were aligned with Christian teachings.
- Witnesses are interviewed to testify about the candidate’s holiness and impact.
- If the investigation proves the person exhibited extraordinary faith, hope, and charity, the Pope declares them ‘Venerable.’
At this stage, the person is not yet a saint, but the Church officially recognizes their exemplary virtue.
Step 3: Beatification – Becoming Blessed
Beatification is the next step in the canonization process and requires proof that the individual has interceded in a miracle.
The Requirements for Beatification:
- A miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession must be documented and scientifically verified.
- Typically, this miracle involves a medically unexplained healing that doctors and experts cannot explain through natural causes.
- If the candidate was a martyr (someone who died for their faith), they may be beatified without a miracle.
Once the miracle is confirmed and approved by the Pope, the candidate is declared ‘Blessed.’ This means they can be honored locally or in specific communities, but they are not yet recognized as a saint by the universal Church.
Step 4: Canonization – Becoming a Saint
The final step in the process of sainthood is canonization, which grants the individual full recognition as a saint in the Catholic Church.
The Canonization Process:
- A second verified miracle must be attributed to the Blessed individual after their beatification.
- This miracle must undergo the same rigorous scientific and theological examination.
- If confirmed, the Pope formally declares the person a saint in a special Mass at the Vatican.
After canonization, the saint’s feast day is added to the Church calendar, and they are honored and venerated worldwide.
3. The Role of Miracles in Canonization
Miracles play a crucial role in the process of sainthood. The Church believes that miracles are signs from God confirming that the person is in heaven and capable of interceding on behalf of the faithful.
What Qualifies as a Miracle?
- Most commonly, miracles involve instantaneous and complete healings from life-threatening diseases with no medical explanation.
- The miracle must occur after the candidate’s death, showing their power of intercession.
- Experts, including doctors, scientists, and theologians, must agree that there is no natural cause for the event.
4. Why Is the Process So Strict?
The Catholic Church takes great care in verifying candidates for sainthood to prevent false claims and ensure only the most deserving individuals are recognized. The multi-step process allows for thorough examination, eliminating any doubts about a candidate’s holiness and legacy.
The strict requirements also emphasize the importance of miracles, reinforcing the belief that sainthood is a divine designation rather than a human decision.
5. Notable Saints and Their Canonization Stories
Many well-known saints have followed this rigorous path to canonization. Here are a few examples:
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
- Known for her selfless work with the poor in India.
- Beatified in 2003 after a miraculous healing of a woman with a stomach tumor.
- Canonized in 2016 after a second confirmed miracle involving a Brazilian man’s miraculous recovery from a brain infection.
Saint John Paul II
- One of the most beloved Popes in modern history.
- Beatified in 2011 after a French nun was miraculously healed of Parkinson’s disease.
- Canonized in 2014 after a second miracle involving the healing of a Costa Rican woman.
6. The Impact of Saints on Catholic Faith
Saints serve as role models for Christians, inspiring people to live virtuous and faithful lives. Their stories remind believers of the power of faith, prayer, and dedication to serving others.
Many Catholics pray to saints for intercession, believing that these holy individuals can help bring their prayers before God. Saints are also associated with specific causes, such as:
- Saint Francis of Assisi – Patron saint of animals and the environment.
- Saint Jude – Patron saint of hopeless cases.
- Saint Anthony of Padua – Patron saint of lost things.
The journey to sainthood is a long and meticulous process, ensuring that only those who have lived extraordinary lives of holiness are officially recognized by the Catholic Church. From being declared a Servant of God to full canonization, each step involves deep investigation, evidence of heroic virtue, and verified miracles.
While the process may take years or even centuries, it preserves the integrity of sainthood and strengthens the faith of believers worldwide. Saints continue to inspire people with their devotion, sacrifice, and unwavering faith in God, leaving a lasting impact on the Catholic Church and its followers.