What does the Catechism of the Catholic church say about saints?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church does not canonize someone a saint unless they have displayed heroic virtue and profound faith in their lives. Such example is invaluable, and our recognition of it glorifies God Who wrought such things in the life of the saint. Add to this that saints are heavenly patrons that can aid us should we choose to ask their special intercession. Further, every saint in heaven is the realization of why that soul was created, for every soul is created that it might come to knowledge and choose of its own volition to return to its Creator out of love. For these reasons, every Catholic saint is important for our edification, our assistance, the glorification of God and the realization of God's plan for the human race, to be united with Him in heaven.

Answer 2

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says quite a big about saints. They cover the following topics (followed by the paragraph numbers):

communion with, 957

the Church as communion of, 945-49, 960-62, 1331

the Church's holiness shines in, 867

as examples of holiness, 2030\

intercession of, 1173, 1195

name of saint as a baptismal name, 2156

proper of saints in the liturgical year, 1172

sacred images of, 1161

significance of canonizing, 828

as source and origin of renewal in the Church, 828

value of the good works of, 1477

veneration of, 61

To read this paragraphs, go to the Catechism at the link below.

Answer 3

I really hate the term 'cult' in reference to the saints as it makes it sound like the saint has their own off-shoot of the Catholic faith. What the term refers to is that the Church has approved local churches or individuals to honor, or venerate, that particular saint. This is especially true for parishes named for a particular saint. A few saints, such as St. Barbara of Nicomedia, have had their cults suppressed by the Church. This means that local churches can no longer honor that saint as the very existence of that saint is in question. These are exceptions to this however. Churches which were named for a "suppressed saint" before the saint's cult was suppressed are still allowed to keep their parish name and honor their patron saint. New churches, can not be named for the saint, however. Some saints have had their cults suppressed and later reinstated as more information is found about the saint. St. Catherine of Alexandria is an example of one of these "on again, off again, on again" saints.

Answer 4

Catholic AnswerIt depends on how you are using the word "saints" and how you define it.

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In The Bible, the term "saints" refers to all the members of the Church, so, yes, in that sense, they were all Catholic.

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Nowadays, it refers to everyone in heaven. As it is not strictly necessary to be Catholic to be in heaven, then there would be some in heaven who are not considered Catholic by non-Catholics on earth. But Catholics define heaven as the "Church Triumphant", and anyone who goes there was a member of the Catholic Church, howbeit not necessarily a member of the visibleChurch on earth. For more information see Salvation Outside the Church? by Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas.

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Finally, there are the canonized saints, those people who have been declared saints by the Church, and yes, in the final sense, they are all Catholic.

from A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957

I. One whose holiness of life and heroic virtue have been confirmed and recognized by the Church's official processes of beatification and canonization, or by the continued existence of an approved cultus and feast. To such only may public veneration and liturgical honour be given; but the Church also produces numerous other saints who remain unknown and unrecognized (cf., the feast of All Saints, whereon those also are honoured). In the Catholic economy the departed saints have not simply ethical significance as patterns of virtuous life, but also religious significance as living and functioning members of the Mystical Body of Christ, who by prayer are in vital contact with the Church militant (on earth) and suffering (in purgatory). The canonized saints form a microcosm of the church; among them are to be found representatives of all forms of human life, activity and temperament. They manifest exteriorly the hidden life of our Lord whom they have hidden in their hearts; the inner man being filled with his spirt, exterior and corresponding action flows form it as from its true source. Nor are their activities and greatness directed in strictly religious channels only; besides so many priests and monks and nuns the Church has canonized emperors and kings and queens, soldiers, artisans, domestic servants, beggars, housemaids, lawyers, merchants, society dames, farmers and their labourers, artists, physicians, a retired hangman -- sanctity is an order for which all are eligible. It must not be supposed that the actions of a saint must always appear good to everyone; he is immune neither from faults nor from errors of judgement; moreover, the "ordinary person" may be the least good judge of a saint's actions. The Church does not officially honour the sanctity of those who in good faith are separated from her visible unity.

ii. The word "saint" is rarely used as a title in the liturgy, such being ordinarily referred to as "the blessed N . . .," e.g., in the collects. In the Byzantine rite it is "the holy father N . . .," the holy martyr M . . .," "The holy, glorious and illustrious apostles the princes and first leaders, Peter and Paul," etc. . . . In the New Testament the word "saints" is often used to designate all Christians of a place, as we should say "the faithful".

Clarification:

There are several saints who were not Catholics but are considered as saints in the Church: Saint Joseph, Saint Anne, Saint Joachim, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Anna the Prophetess, Saint Simeon the Prophet, Saint Elizabeth, Saint Zachary, The Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael.

Answer 5

Most non-Catholics, primarily Protestants, have no understanding of the canonization process or why Catholics pray to saints in the first place. They believe that only God can make saints. Actually, that is the belief of Catholics also. The Church does not make saints. The canonization process is in place simply to investigate and certify that the person is indeed in Heaven and worthy of emulation. After all, we do not want people to be praying to someone who is not in Heaven. Speaking of hopeless causes! Many Protestants feel we should only pray to God and not to the saints. However, the saints are in Heaven and know how to pray while on earth our feeble efforts at prayer can be taken by the saints and improved as they take our intentions before God. In a sense, they are our lawyers before the throne of God. As someone once said, "He who represents himself in court has a fool for a lawyer."

When we honor the saints, we honor their Creator.

Answer 6

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that saints are models of holiness and intercessors who pray for us. They lead lives of virtue and heroic virtue, inspiring others to follow their example in faith. Saints are united with God in heaven and can help believers on earth by their prayers and example.

Answer 7

Is the pope Catholic? Of course Catholics believe in the saints and honor them as wonderful examples of God's creation.

Answer 8

No, there are many, many saints who were not priests or nuns.

Answer 9

Catholics do not adore or worship saints. Catholics venerate, or honor, the saints for the outtanding role models they make for the living.