2007-12-07 05:08:49 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Saints are people in heaven or on their way to heaven. All Christians dead and alive are saints.
The Catholic Church selects some of the most extraordinary examples, does in-depth research, and canonizes them.
"By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God's grace, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors."
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 828: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#828
With love in Christ.
2007-12-07 17:19:17 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never got the whole "saint" thing, but I do admire Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II for the loving lives that they lived. Maybe it's the American in me--but I don't get into titles and all that jazz.
2007-12-07 05:17:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but the Popes are the furthest things from sainthood.
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the Laws of Yahweh, and the faith of Yahshua.
Sanctification comes from the keeping of the 613 Laws of Yahweh which if kept will keep one from defilement or unholy for Yahweh's use.
2007-12-07 05:25:43 · answer #3 · answered by YUHATEME 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
in order to become a saint...3 *miracles* have to be credited to the deceased ...canonization is usually not even considered til 150 after the persons death...but it seems that there are going to be exceptions made for pope john paul II & mother teresa
2007-12-07 05:15:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, sainthood for unmarried European Popes is simply a way of grabbing free publicity for a non-profit Church which intentionally hid child crimes from secular police departments.
Making an European Catholic Pope a saint is identical to making a Sicilian Mafia criminal Godfather a saint. No difference at all.
2007-12-07 05:14:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
That too, of course. But strictly speaking, a saint is a human being who in life lived that life in accordance with the will of God as best as he or she could. They played each hand as it was dealt and never cheated in the great poker tournament of life.
Every human being in heaven is a saint, by definition. Those whose presence there is confirmed via miracles are officially recognized as being there and are accorded great respect for their lives and love.
Catholics like to think of the saints as friends in high places.
2007-12-07 05:14:47 · answer #6 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
According to the bible, when you become a christian, you become a saint. It is an instantaneous process and is not decided by men. Christians should all give great love.
2007-12-07 05:23:10 · answer #7 · answered by enamel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's part of it. Sainthood is adopted whenever the Church recognizes the impact a single persons life had on other people by them living according to the teachings of Christ and His Holy Apostles.
2007-12-07 05:12:55 · answer #8 · answered by stpolycarp77 6 · 1⤊ 5⤋
He's on his way to sainthood because it'll make for great publicity and help make $$$ for the church.
2007-12-07 05:12:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
I think that whole sainthood thing is ridiculous. I can't stand that. It is just a way tomass produce imagery so people can worship another human being and get their eyes off of God. Idolatry at its worst.
2007-12-07 05:14:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋