What are the steps to sainthood?

Answer 1

In The Bible it is written that all Christians are saints. Saints ( as we know it ) have no power to bless us because they are dead already.'

The Catholic Church has a process whereby it investigates the life of one of its members. This process of scrutiny is called the "canonization process", whereby the Church seeks to determine if the candidate's life was of such virtue and Faith as to merit imitation and emulation from the Church community. The canonization process can take from years to decades if not centuries as evidence is compiled and discussed. If the candidate is successful they will go through graduated degrees of recognition, first determined "Venerable" then "Blessed" and finally "Saint."

Answer 2

The process of becoming a Catholic saint is very lengthy, often taking decades or centuries to complete. The canonization process has been in the news off and on over the past few years, because of the movement to make Mother Teresa a saint.

Soon after her death in 1997, Mother Teresa's followers began pressing the Vatican to waive the rule that prevents the process of canonization from beginning until five years following the candidate's death. This rule has traditionally been used to allow for a more objective look at a person's life and achievements. In 1999, the pope did waive the five-year rule, allowing the canonization process to begin. Here are the steps that must be followed:

1. A local bishop investigates the candidate's life and writings for evidence of heroic virtue. The information uncovered by the bishop is sent to the Vatican.

2. A panel of theologians and the cardinals of the Congregation for Cause of Saints evaluate the candidate's life.

3. If the panel approves, the pope proclaims that the candidate is venerable, which means that the person is a role model of Catholic virtues.

4. The next step toward sainthood is beatification. Beatification allows a person to be honored by a particular group or region. In order to beatify a candidate, it must be shown that the person is responsible for a posthumous miracle. Martyrs, those who died for their religious cause, can be beatified without evidence of a miracle. On October 20th, 2003, Mother Teresa was beatified. She will now be known as Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata.

5. In order for the candidate to be considered a saint, there must be proof of a second posthumous miracle.

If there is, the person is canonized. These alleged miracles must be submitted to the Vatican for verification. Sister Teresia Benedicta of the Cross was canonized in 1997 after the Vatican verified that a young girl who ate seven times the lethal dose of Tylenol was suddenly cured. The girl's family was said to have prayed to the spirit of Sister Teresia for help. In Mother Teresa's case, her supporters are arguing that she has performed at least two posthumous miracles. In one case, a French woman in the United States broke several ribs in a car accident -- reportedly, her wounds were healed because she was wearing a Mother Teresa medallion. Another possible miracle occurred when Mother Teresa appeared in the dreams of a Palestinian girl, telling the girl that her cancer was cured. Once a person is a saint, he or she is recommended to the entire Catholic church for veneration. Some saints are selected as patron saints, special protectors or guardians over particular occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, or causes. For example, the Pope is planning on naming a patron saint of internet users and computer programmers. Several saints are being considered, but the lead candidate is St. Isidore of Seville, who is credited with writing the world's first encyclopedia.

Answer 3

First, you have to die. Once you have been dead at least 5 years a cause
for sainthood can be opened. The local bishop or other religious leader
will assign someone to collect all sorts of documents and conduct
interviews about the life of the candidate. Once they have all the
information, the file will be sent to the Sacred Congregation for the
causes of Saints in Rome. They will study the file and, if it seems the
person exhibited some form of heroic virtue, that person will be declared
a Servant of God and an official Cause for Sainthood will be opened.

More investigations and interviews will be conducted and if the person
passes all favorably, they will be named as Venerable.

Next, more investigations and at least one miracle must be confirmed and
verified due to the intercession of the candidate. If all goes well, the
candidate will then be Beatified by the Pope and receive the title of
Blessed. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is at this stage right now.

In the final stage, more investigations and at least one more miracle must
be verified. Once all that has been done, the file is turned over to the
pope who will make the final decision. It will be up to the pope to
declare a person a saint and then arrangements are made for the official
canonization ceremonies.

This process can take many years, even centuries.

Of course, the person became a saint the moment they entered heaven. The
Church just needs to investigate to make sure the candidate is worthy of
emulation and makes a good role model for future generations.

Answer 4

Canonization Process
First, you have to die. Once you have been dead at least 5 years a cause
for sainthood can be opened. The local bishop or other religious leader
will assign someone to collect all sorts of documents and conduct
interviews about the life of the candidate. Once they have all the
information, the file will be sent to the Sacred Congregation for the
causes of Saints in Rome. They will study the file and, if it seems the
person exhibited some form of heroic virtue, that person will be declared
a Servant of God and an official Cause for Sainthood will be opened.

More investigations and interviews will be conducted and if the person
passes all favorably, they will be named as Venerable.

Next, more investigations and at least one miracle must be confirmed and
verified due to the intercession of the candidate. If all goes well, the
candidate will then be Beatified by the Pope and receive the title of
Blessed. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is at this stage right now.

In the final stage, more investigations and at least one more miracle must
be verified. Once all that has been done, the file is turned over to the
pope who will make the final decision. It will be up to the pope to
declare a person a saint and then arrangements are made for the official
canonization ceremonies.

This process can take many years, even centuries.

Of course, the person became a saint the moment they entered heaven. The
Church just needs to investigate to make sure the candidate is worthy of
emulation and makes a good role model for future generations.