What does it take to become a saint? Do you think you have what it takes to become one?

Answer 1

The word saint comes from the Greek word "hagios" which means “consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious." It is almost always used in the plural, “saints.” "…Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem" (Acts 9:13). "Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda" (Acts 9:32). "And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons … “(Acts 26:10). There is only one instance of the singular use and that is "Greet every saint in Christ Jesus…" (Philippians 4:21). In Scripture there are 67 uses of the plural “saints” compared to only one use of the singular word “saint.” Even in that one instance, a plurality of saints is in view “…every saint…” (Philippians 4:21).

The idea of the word “saint” is a group of people set apart for the Lord and His kingdom. There are three references referring to godly character of saints; "that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints …" (Romans 16:2). "For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12). "But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints" (Ephesians 5:3).

Therefore, Scripturally speaking, the “saints” are the body of Christ, Christians, the church. All Christians are considered saints. All Christian are saints…and at the same time are called to be saints. 1 Corinthians 1:2 states it clearly, “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy…” The words “sanctified” and “holy” come from the same Greek root as the word that is commonly translated “saints.” Christians are saints by virtue of their connection with Jesus Christ. Christians are called to be saints, to increasingly allow their daily life to more closely match their position in Christ. This is the Biblical description and calling of the saints.

Answer 2

Canonization (also spelled Canonisation) is the act by which a Christian Church declares a deceased person to be a saint, inscribing that person in the canon, or list, of recognized saints.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the act of canonization is now reserved to the Holy See and occurs at the conclusion of a long process requiring extensive proof that the person proposed for canonization lived, and died, in such a way that he or she is worthy to be recognized as a saint. Originally, however, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process, as happened, for instance, in the case of Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Other Christian Churches still follow the older practice (see, for instance, below on Eastern Orthodox practice).

Canonization, whether formal or informal, does not make someone a saint: it is only a declaration that the person is a saint and was a saint even before canonization. It is generally recognized that there are many more saints in heaven than have been canonized on earth.

The process begins at the diocesan level, with the bishop giving permission to open an investigation into the virtues of everyone. This investigation may open no sooner than five years after the death of the person being investigated.However, the pope has the authority to waive this waiting period, as was done for Mother Teresa by Pope John Paul II [5] and for John Paul II himself by his immediate successor, Benedict XVI.[6] When sufficient information has been gathered, the subject of the investigation is called "Servant of God", and the process is transferred to the Roman Curia—the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints—where it is assigned a postulator, whose task is to gather all information about the life of the Servant of God. When enough information has been gathered, the congregation will recommend to the pope that he make a proclamation of the Servant of God's heroic virtue, which entitles him or her to receive the title "Venerable". A Venerable has as of yet no feast day, but prayer cards may be printed to encourage the faithful to pray for a miracle wrought by his or her intercession.

The next step depends on whether the Venerable is a martyr. For a martyr, the pope has only to make a declaration of martyrdom, which then allows beatification, yielding the title "Blessed" and a feast day in the Blessed's home diocese and perhaps some other local calendars. If the Venerable was not a martyr, it must be proven that a miracle has taken place by his or her intercession. Today, these miracles are almost always miraculous cures, as these are the easiest to establish based on the Roman Catholic Church's requirements for a "miracle." (The patient was sick, there was no known cure for the ailment, prayers were directed to the Venerable, the patient was cured, and doctors cannot explain it.)

To pass from Blessed to Saint, one (more) miracle is necessary. A saint's feast day is considered universal, and may be celebrated anywhere within the Roman Catholic Church, although it may or may not appear on the general calendar.

In the case of persons that common usage has called saints from "time immemorial" (in practice, since before 1500 or so), the Church may carry out a "confirmation of cultus", which is much simpler. For example, Saint Hermann Joseph had his veneration confirmed by Pope John Paul II.

In the case of the Eastern Catholic Churches, individual churches sui juris retain, in theory, the right to glorify (see next section on Eastern Orthodox practice) saints for their own jurisdictions, though this has rarely happened in practice.

Contrary to what is sometimes reported in the popular press,a declaration of sainthood is not an "ex cathedra" pronouncement of the Pope, and as such, is not an infallible statement according to Roman Catholic doctrine, since such infallibility only "extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself." However, the canonizations of saints are dogmatic facts, that is, truths connected to revelation by historical necessity and which are to be held definitively, but which are not able to be declared as divinely revealed

Answer 3

It depends upon what religious sect you would be referring to. If it is orthodox Protestantism then simply being a Christian makes you a saint of God. However, to become a quote unquote 'Saint' in the Catholic Church one has to be chosen, elected, and Sainted as it were.

Answer 4

To be regarded as a Saint the person has to live a life of denial something that would boggle the minds of most these day`s,they have to be virtuous and show that they have done their utmost to love God and their neighbor while accepting the trials and hardships of this life.
According to the Protestant mind all who are `Saved` are saints,it`s a bit like someone else doing the work while you get the credit.

Answer 5

All people who accept the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross are called Saints....they aren't chosen by a man,,,,they are chosen by God...and he says if you are covered by the blood of Jesus, then you become a saint,,then Honey, you are a saint....I don't care what some old man in Rome has to say about it....

Answer 6

Become a Christian and you will be a Saint

Answer 7

Originally a saint was a baptized follower of Christ is a saint. So yes, I do have what it takes.

If you're thinking of Catholic saints, then no, I don't have what it takes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint

Answer 8

I'm a saint, and let me tell you it wasn't easy. Eventually I was sainted by Pope Constance of Pogosa Springs, Colorado; but it took a lot of persuasion. At first she wouldn't even grant me an audience.
The other Pope, the one in Rome, would not acknowledge my existence.

Answer 9

1st Q: Faith in Christ alone. The New Testament Christians were called "saints", or "holy ones", from the Greek word, "hagios", because they had faith (i.e., followed and imitated the lifestyle of) in Jesus, Who is the Holy One.

2nd Q: Noone does, in themselves. It is when we put our faith in Christ, that His spiritual power and presence in us causes us to act like Him, including the characteristic of holiness.

Answer 10

no human is purely a saint. we are all saint and sinners on this world. our job is to figure out how to be put above the rest.