how can catholic determine declare someone saint? did they discuss with God beforehand?

Answer 1

They can't, only God can. But looking at the answers coming in for this question, I do have something else to mention:
When the Bible mentions "saints" (the translation is actually "set aside ones") it is referring to a specific group of individuals who were called Gods "election" or "elect". They are called Saints esspecially by Peter, who addresses both of His writings to them specifically. They were chosen of God BEFORE this earth age - when satan rebelled and there was a great war. One-third of us rebelled and went along with satan; others stayed neutral; and then there was a group who stayed with God, loyal, stedfast, never waivered - these God called His elect, and they were even judged at that time - so they are the only people on earth today who do not have free will. Why? Cause they don't need it - they already made their choice between Christ and satan, so free will isn't required for them.
This is straight from the Biblical manuscripts - its all but cemented in fact within them.
No person, church or otherwise can decide a person is or isn't a "saint".
You can read of Gods election all through the Bible. Sometimes I wonder if Catholics ever really read the Book with understanding.
I'm not trying to be critical, as I was brought up Catholic myself - but they should dump the catheceism (spelling?) and stop listening to man, and start to listen to God.

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: we are all called to be saints and that is what the Catholic Church teaches. The Catholic Church does not claim to make saints, as God makes saints the Church merely recognizes God's handy-work. Basically the Church teaches all those in heaven are saints and because of this fact the Church also recognizes there are many unknown saints. Those answering this question against Catholic saints view themselves as saints by taking bible verse out of context. These usually also belong to the "once saved' organization of theology. Frankly most of the people arguing against sainthood or the declaration of are simply jealous of Catholics and come across very bitter.
The person arguing against prayer for one another (praying to Mary) don't actually understand the doctrine, get educated!

Answer 3

++++ Canonization Prior to 15th Century ++++

Before the formal canonization process began in the fifteenth century, many saints were proclaimed by popular approval. This was a much faster process but unfortunately many of the saints so named were based on legends, pagan mythology, or even other religions -- for example, the story of the Buddha traveled west to Europe and he was "converted" into a Catholic saint!

In 1969, the Church took a long look at all the saints on its calendar to see if there was historical evidence that that saint existed and lived a life of holiness. In taking that long look, the Church discovered that there was little proof that many "saints", including some very popular ones, ever lived. Christopher was one of the names that was determined to have a basis mostly in legend. Therefore Christopher (and others) were dropped from the universal calendar.

This action did not kick Christopher out of heaven. Remember everyone in heaven are saints whether the Church canonizes them or not. The Church, once again, was just trying to clean up its act.

++++ Modern Canonization ++++

Here is the modern method of canonization:

In order to allow greater objectivity and less emotion, no petition for sainthood can be made until at least 5 years after the candidate’s death.

+ Diocesan Investigation +

A diocese, parish, religious congregation, or association asks the bishop of the diocese in which the candidate died to open the investigation. After Vatican approval, the bishop forms a diocesan tribunal.

Witnesses are called before the tribunal to recount the candidate’s heroic exercise of Christian virtues. All documents regarding the candidate must be gathered.

At this point he is entitled to the title of Servant of God.

+ Vatican Investigation +

All documentation is passed on to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican.

The cause undergoes an examination by nine theologians.

If passed, the cause is for examined by the Congregation.

If passed, the cause is presented to the Pope for approval. A decree is published and read publicly.

+ Beatification +

A miracle attributed to the Servant of God is necessary.

The miracle must be proven through an appropriate investigation and another decree is issued.

Then the Pope decides on beatification.

With beatification, the candidate receives the title of Blessed.

+ Canonization +

Another miracle occurring after beatification is needed for canonization (sainthood), attributed to the Blessed’s intercession.

This miracle must again be proven through an appropriate investigation.

Papal infallibility is involved with canonization.

The Blessed acquires the title of Saint.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 4

The Catholic Church doesn't make saints- only God does.

The Church goes through a process that seeks to demonstrate the holiness of a person in their life, and their intercession with God on behalf of the living after their own death.

These things can demonstrate the likelihood that someone is indeed in the presence of God- the very definition of a saint!

Answer 5

The Vatican has extremely rigorous standards for making that decision--since they can't "discuss it with God." :) Except through prayer and meditation, of course.

The entire process (which can drag out decaades--evencenturies) is based on validating that people who have "called upon the prospective saind to interced on their behalf with Christ" have received miracles in response--usually healing of injury or sickness (though any such miracle can be considered).

If your not a believer--yes, to an extend this is based on faith. but the requirement, as a secular person might describe it, is that an event (healing, etc) has to have occured that cannot be explained.

A series of such miricles (plus other things) are used to establish--as well as it's humanly possible to do so--that the person in question did in fact "go to heaven" (the basic definition of a saint). Note that the Church does NOT claim to make a person a saint (that's up to God) but only to establish (sometimes) that some particular person "made the grade."

Answer 6

There is criteria to be met prior to the Church declaring someone a saint. One of the big ones it that there has to be 2 miracles associated with prayer for intercession to that person.

Saints are for us...they are people who were so beyond us spiritually that they are people we can ask for help and we can look to for direction. Read about their lives and you'll be amazed and the depth with which they loved God.

Answer 7

God makes saints; canonization is the process by which the Catholic Church declares, "Hey, look, God made a saint!"

Answer 8

Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church moire firmly in holiness.... They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus.... So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped. Prayer appears to be the normal way for believers (saints) on earth to support one another. Probably all of us have asked another Christian, as Paul did--another saint in the Body of Christ--to pray for us when we had a need. Catholic Christians believe that as we can ask a fellow Christian -a saint- to pray for us, we should be able to ask prayers from the saints already united to the Lord in heaven. If the prayers of certain Christians here on earth seem to possess special power because of their great faith witness or holiness, how much more powerful and effective might not the prayers of those of the communion of saints in heaven who are fully united to God.

Answer 9

The Bible refers to living Believers as saints.
I never understood why the Catholic Church needed a special review board to determine someone's standing in the Body of Christ.

Answer 10

Depends what you mean by definition of saint. There is the biblical definition of saint which Paul uses quite regularly in his epistles.

In Philippians 4:21-22, he states, "Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household."

By this definition alone, we can see that Paul describes a saint as a follower of Jesus Christ. There is nothing specific that has to be done in order to become a saint except to follow Christ.

Now, having been raised Catholic, we were told to pray for the saints who would intercede with God on our behalf. The entire problem with this though is the only intercessor we have to God is Christ. From the Catholic perspective, sainthood requires miracles and a life of works. Only then, do MEN decide if someone should become a saint.

This is extrabiblical doctrine that has absolutely no justifiable background. I love my Catholic brothers and sisters, but I would ask on who's instruction do you pray to the saints? Jesus never prayed to anyone but God. There is nothing in the bible that tells us to pray to anyone but God. So, in support of the question, why pray to anyone but God? (Or Christ who is recognized as God.)