What is a Catholic Saint?
Here are ten frequently asked questions and answers to help understand more about Catholic saints.
1) What is a saint in the Catholic Church?
In a general sense, every creature who is in Heaven is a saint because in order to be in Heaven, one must be a saint.
In the formal use of the word, a saint is a person whom the Catholic Church officially recognizes as having lived a life of heroic virtue, holiness, and fidelity to God. Saints are in Heaven and able to intercede for (pray for) those of us on earth.
In the Bible, the word “saint” can also refer, in a broader sense, to those who follow Christ. However, it is not meant that simply if you believe you are a saint. St. Paul refers to Christians as saints because he knows that is their full calling.
In formal Church language, saint refers to those canonized by the Church. However, because everyone who is Heaven is a saint, the Church assumes that there are many more saints in Heaven than the ones who have been formally recognized.
2) How does someone become a saint?
A person becomes a saint through a formal process called canonization. The Church investigates a person's life, writings, and reputation for holiness. The stages include being named "Servant of God", then "Venerable" after recognition of heroic virtue, "Blessed" after one confirmed miracle, and finally "Saint" after a second confirmed miracle.
A martyr, or someone who is killed for the faith, will often be declared a "Blessed" after it has been confirmed that the person was indeed killed for his faith in Christ. After that, one miracle will be needed for the person to be declared a "Saint".
The free email course The Why and How of the Saints covers all of the details of this canonization process.
3) How many miracles to become a saint?
Typically, there must be two miracles. The first miracle allows the person to be declared "Blessed". This formal declaration is called beatification. The second miracle is used to confirm sainthood and is required before the person is declared a saint. The formal declaration of sainthood is refered to as canonization.
These miracles must be scientifically unexplainable, instantaneous, and lasting, usually involving physical healing. They are rigorously investigated by medical experts, theologians, and Church authorities before approval. The process of investigation is first done locally in the area where the person died. The investigation process can take years. The results of the investigation are then presented to the officials in the Vatican where they are reviewed and investigated prior to presenting a recommendation to the pope. If the pope approves the recommendation that the miracle is indeed a miracle, the miracle is accepted.
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4) What does it mean to be canonized?
Canonized saints are formally declared to be in Heaven and worthy of universal veneration. But the Church teaches that many people in Heaven are unknown to us. Canonization gives certainty and public recognition, but holiness is not limited to the canonized.
In fact, we must all pray and strive to become saints. It is our duty as God's creatures to become saints because in order to enter Heaven we must be saints. We become saints by doing God's will, cooperating with His grace, loving God, and loving our neighbors.
5) Why do Catholics pray to saints?
For many people, the term "pray" is reserved for communication with God. However, Catholics use the term pray to refer to communication with God and with His saints. This usage is based on the older meaning of the word "pray" which means "ask" or "request" and was used in common communication.
When Catholics refer to praying to saints, they simply mean they are asking saints for their intercession with God in the same way that you might ask a friend or family member on earth to pray for you. Most people do not think twice about asking someone to pray for them.
Catholics believe that the saints are in Heaven with God. They are in perfect union with God and His will. Asking them to pray shows trust in God because He is the God of the living, not the dead. The saints are not dead. They are fully alive in Christ. They will not do anything in opposition to God. And, unlike people on earth, they do not get tired, forget to pray, or give half-hearted prayers.
Catholics, of course, believe in asking people on earth to pray, but, they also know that they can turn to God's saints who can pray for them, as well.
6) Do Catholics worship saints?
No. Worship (adoration) is given to God alone. Saints are honored (venerated) as holy examples and heavenly intercessors. The distinction between worship and veneration has been part of Catholic teaching since the earliest centuries.
Catholics know that they were created by God, they are redeemed by God in the Person of Jesus Christ, and they are saved by God. Catholics know that their very existence and being sustained in every moment is through God alone. God is infinitely greater than any of His creatures regardless how holy a creature might be.
It would be against the first commandment to worship anyone but God.
However, under the fourth commandment, we are called to honor our parents. Catholics have always understood that this command is not just for honoring our biological or legal parents. It also extends to our elders, including grandparents, or veterans and others in the past who helped our country, community, and culture.
Saints are elder brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. They are part of the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, helped pass on the faith, and provide holy examples. And, it is fitting to honor them. However, just like if we honor heroes or heroines from our country's past, with statues, monuments, paintings, pictures, special days, or celebrations, we in no way worship saints.
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7) Who was the first canonized saint?
The first officially canonized saint is generally considered St. Ulrich of Augsburg who was canonized by Pope John XV in 993.
Before that time, saints were usually recognized by local communities or bishops through popular devotion rather than a formal Vatican process. In the tenth century, it was decided to have a more formal process that was reserved for the pope.
In the very early days of the Church, most of the saints were martyrs because many died during that various empire-wide and local persecutions that occurred in the Roman Empire.
8) What are relics?
Relics are physical objects connected to a saint—such as body fragments (first class), personal belongings (second class), or items touched to a relic (third class).
They remind the faithful of the saint’s earthly life and inspire devotion. They are never worshipped but respected as holy connections to God’s work. Relics are similar to personal items that people keep and use related to relatives or friends whether passed away or alive. For example, someone might wear his father's watch or her mother's necklace to honor and to remind them of their parents. No one would think that the person is worshipping a parent by wearing a personal item or keeping a prominently posted picture of their relative or friend.
9) Are Angels Saints?
Yes. Angels are saints. Saints are considered to be any creatures who are in Heaven with God. We tend to think of saints as being human beings. However, angels are also created by God. They are different from humans because they are pure spirits. Unlike humans they do not have bodies. (Humans are body and spirit.)
Angels were created by God. And, they underwent some type of test. Because of their superior intelligence, it was a one time free decision. Those angels who decided against God are described as fallen angels because they chose to be eternally separated from God. Those angels who remained faithful to God will be with Him eternally and continue to adore and serve God. From Scripture, we only know the names of three angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. However, we know that there are many more angels.
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10) Does everyone have a guardian angel?
Through Church and tradition, the Church has taught that men and women are given guardian angels. This is a great gift from God which each person has throughout his or her life. (Guardian angels are not just for children.) Guardian angels pray for us and help us in many ways. They do not force us to do anything just as God respects the free will He gave us. However, even when we turn our backs on God, our guardian angels continue to pray for us.
There are some theological discussions about when each person receives his or her guardian angel. Some suggest it is at conception. Other theologians argue it is a birth with the idea that the mother's guardian angel is helping both the mother and the child in her womb until birth. And, even some think only baptized people have guardian angels.
Although there has not been any formal teaching from the Church, the general teaching is that each person receives a guardian angel either at conception or birth.
We should become friends with our guardian angels. They only want what is absolutely best for us because they only want God's will for us. They are not pets, gurus, or fortune tellers. They are powerful because they are angels. We should respect them. And, we should not name them because we have no authority to name our angels. (Giving a name indicates one has some authority over a creature, but we do not have that authority.)
Instead, we should ask for their help, their protection, and their prayers. We should be grateful to them for all they do, and we should be thankful to God for giving us one of His holy angels to help us in our journeys of faith.
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