Saints are people who are believed by Christians, especially the Roman Catholic Church, as the most holy and glorious ministers of God. Saints are celebrated in prayers, days on the liturgical calendar, and in works of art and iconography in churches, and their lives are respected and studied as examples for all other believers to follow. Although there have been thousands of saints recognized, or "canonized," throughout the centuries, earning a posthumous title is still a very rare thing. Strict canonization procedures have been revised several times throughout the history of the church. Here is what you need to know about the process in the Catholic Church.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Living the Life of a Saint
Step 1. Be Catholic
Modern saints in Roman Catholicism are all Catholics, so if you haven't been baptized and officially accepted by the church, do so immediately.
If you've been living a sinful life, don't worry: many saints are sinners who then undergo radical life changes when they join the church. It's a little difficult, but you can still achieve sainthood if you have magical conversations and then turn from sin to live a good life
Step 2. Live a life of example and faith
There are many different ways to do this, from caring for the sick and suffering to spreading the word of God, from fighting poverty and oppression to dedicating your life to scientific research. Whatever you do, it has to be something noble, unselfish, and memorable. Don't make an explicit effort to be a saint-just focus on being the best and most loving Christian you can be. Be humble and work to serve God and make positive changes in people's lives.
- Joining a church as a priest or nun is a great start, but not mandatory. The Vatican is working hard to identify ordinary people who are future saints.
- Think of something big! Some saints are honored for their outstanding service to a small group of people or a local community, but your exemplary life is more likely to be recognized if you make a bigger and more visible impact globally.
Step 3. Perform at least two miracles
Miracles are extraordinary occurrences that cannot be achieved normally through human work, and are therefore associated with the intervention of a noble and divine power. The unexplained healing of a sick, injured, or dying person who is already incurable is a classic example, as is intervention that miraculously stops or saves people from an imminent disaster. But really, a miracle can be any inexplicable yet good phenomenon you can present. Just remember that it wasn't you who did the miracle: God did it through you.
You don't technically have to perform miracles as long as you're alive-rather, you can intervene from heaven to make your miracles happen. However, it is not guaranteed that you will be recognized as a saint because of the miracles you perform after your death, so it never hurts to do this as soon as possible
Step 4. Off
There's no way around this: saint/saint is a posthumous title. In fact, the canonization process will only begin a minimum of five years after the subject's death.
If possible, try to be a martyr for your faith. This is becoming less and less common these days, but being killed because you refused to give up your (Catholic) religious beliefs definitely puts you and your sainthood under scrutiny
Method 2 of 2: Canonization Process
Step 1. Develop a "devotion" of local people who remember your holiness and pray to you
Hopefully, it will develop by itself because of your wonderful life and work.
Step 2. The bishop in your area initiates a "cause" to the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of the Conferral of Saints
This will get the process started, but it's still a long time before the canonization process is complete.
Step 3. Investigation by the church
An investigator will examine the details of your life, works, and writings. Any miracle attributed to you will also be thoroughly and skeptically investigated. Make sure everything is clear-nothing is hidden in this investigation, and a "devil's advocate" will be there to argue against your case.
Step 4. Recognized by the Pope as a "venerabilis
This is just an acknowledgment that you lived a very holy life, or were martyred, but it is the first step in the canonization process.
Step 5. Your first miracle is acknowledged and “beatified” by the Pope
After that you will be called "blessed," and feast days will be dedicated to you in your diocese of origin, your religious order, and places that are important to your life's work.
Step 6. Your second miracle is acknowledged and you become a saint
If the Vatican recognizes the second miracle attributed to you, the Pope may then grant you the title of Saint. You will be given a feast day that Catholics everywhere can celebrate, and churches will be named after you.
Step 7. Answer prayer
Now that Catholics are officially allowed to honor you, they can ask you to speak to God on their behalf.
Tips
- A true saint doesn't make being a saint a goal. On the other hand, saints are often humble and devoted to not caring about, if not opposing, the idea of canonization.
- Go to church.
- Pray. It seems that God usually guides believers according to His will.
- Find something you think is important, and keep working on it.
Warning
- Don't aim to be a saint, but to be a good Catholic Christian and have faith in God. Saints never aim to become canonized saints, but only aim to love God and His human creation with all their heart and be willing to lay down their lives for Christ. Focus on how to love and please God selflessly and without asking for anything from heaven, and follow Catholic promises and rituals. It's not the Vatican that accepts someone to be a saint, the Vatican only recognizes them officially and honors them. It is God who actually accepts the saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Just look at the case of St. Therese from Liseux. He never performed any miracles or heroic deeds in his life, he only obediently and humbly loved God, entering the monastery at the age of 15. But, to her fellow nuns, she is a good example of how to live a life of faith dedicated to serving God. It is the reason why he is well remembered after his untimely death at the age of 24, due to tuberculosis. Your top priority is pleasing God.
- Living a life worth sainthood is sometimes painful and difficult. Self-sacrifice doesn't come naturally to most people. Don't ask God for something you can't stand to do.
- Don't try to manipulate the ecclesiastical population to canonize you. Not only is this immoral, it will get you in big trouble with both the church and God.
