I'm asking this question again, because I got wrongfully reported for asking it before.
Are the Virgin Mary and The Saints living beside God in Heaven, are they considered Holy Figures, and how did the Saints actually become Saints. I'm talking about Catholicism of course.
2007-01-20 08:13:24 · 13 answers · asked by reff 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Of course there are more than 12 saints. . .any believer in Christ is a saint. Heaven is full of saints who loved God and obeyed Him.
However, some people live unusually holy lives and are singled out by the Catholic Church as special examples for those of us here on earth. They are part of the Communion of Saints, and they can pray for us, just as we can pray for others.
There are steps in the process of becoming a saint: Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed, Saint. Each step is accompanied by a careful examination of the person's life and writings. A miracle is required for each of the last two steps and is usually medical in nature because they can be verified.
I hope this explanation helps.
2007-01-20 08:23:59 · answer #1 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are talking about Catholicism then the idea would be much different than the way it is explained in the bible. I went to a Catholic school in grade and high school and if I remember correctly there are certain criteria that a person must meet in order to be proclaimed a saint by the Catholic church. But the bible says that at conversion you are a saint in God's eyes already. So it depends on which definition or explanation you accept as truth. Hint: I think it would be best to accept God's Word (bible) as truth.
2007-01-20 08:20:30 · answer #2 · answered by drivn2excelchery 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
>>Are the Virgin Mary and The Saints living beside God in Heaven<<
Yes.
>>are they considered Holy Figures<<
Yes.
>>and how did the Saints actually become Saints.<<
Through Jesus. Sometimes, the Church says, "hey, look, God made a saint!", and that is how they become canonized saints.
2007-01-20 08:21:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I believe that yes Mary and the saints are living beside GOD in Heaven. They are holy in Christ Jesus as all believers are.
Saints are people who are set apart for a purpose. Biblically anyone who puts their faith in Jesus finished work on the cross is a saint. The term was a favorite of Paul's. We are saints because of Christ righteousness. To declare anyone a saint outside of the covering of the cross would be vain at best and flat out blaspheme at worst.
2007-01-20 08:20:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
When they became anointed with the holy spirit on Pentecost 33 C.E. they became joint heirs to the kingdom of God. So along with Jesus they will rule the rest of mankind as priest and kings for one thousand years.
Revelation 20:6 Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.
2007-01-20 08:22:54 · answer #5 · answered by papa G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1 Thessalonians 4:16b ...those dead in union with Christ will rise first. (So at a specific, unknown to mankind time, the early Christians will rise first)
The men of the Catholic Church chose 'saints.' But are these the same as the ones God chooses?
God choses saints; 2Timothy 1:9 He saved us and called us with a HOLY CALLING.
2Tim.2:10...for the sake of the chosen ones...
Rev.11:18 ....and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged, and to give their reward to your slaves the prophets, and to the HOLY ONES and....
Rev. 17:14 ..Also those called and chosen and faithful with him will do so.
In the Bible the 'saints' are also called; the called, chosen ones, anointed, holy ones, firstfruits.
2Cor.1:21..he who anointed us is God.
James 1:18 Because he willed it, he brought us forth by the word of truth, for us to be certain firstfruits of his creatures.
1Cor.15:35-57...
Read it, and you may understand the saints will be reaise with immortal spirit bodies. They will be perfect, therefore, holy, spiritually clean.
2007-01-20 08:45:27 · answer #6 · answered by tina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not to Me, the catholic church decides who is a Saint,They are human like the rest of us.They also declare what is or is not a miracle,I do not agree with that.They are Saints in the bible appointed by God, that is different.So, myself a mere human could join the clergy and chose saints, I think not.Mary was a very good woman chosen by God, but after Jesus death we never hear of Her again, and when asked How to Pray Jesus replied "OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN"
2007-01-20 08:31:10 · answer #7 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the saints and mary are with god in heaven, they are holy people filled with grace. the saints became saints because of how they lived for christ and exemplified christian teachings from a day to day basis,even under the harshest of conditions. they devoted and gave their lives to christ. to see examples of what some saints went through etc.... go to americancatholic.com and go to the saint section.
2007-01-20 08:19:11 · answer #8 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You may be interested to know that, in the bible, "saints" refer to anyone who is a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ.
The Catholic church bestows sainthood, it is not from God. The bible tells us, precious in God's sight is the death of His saints. Does that mean only 12 people? No. This is each person who has faith in Jesus. Mary and the 12 apostles are in heaven, along with everyone who believes in Jesus as Lord.
2007-01-20 08:17:01 · answer #9 · answered by Esther 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
as for saints the term in the bible is used for all christians all who know Jesus and have him intheir life. Mary is no more than any other christian our prayers should only go to God. the catholic church will declair people they tyhink have been holy as saints but that is not from the bible. I know which I trust.
2007-01-20 08:18:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋