On The Road to Becoming A Saint! Wisdom Counsel Understanding Fortitude Knowledge Piety Fear of the Lord I am St. Peter. I never gave Even though I made up trying! some mistakes… I am I am St. Martin St. John I am Mother Teresa! There are even Some saints who are children like St. Dominic Savio & St. Maria Goretti! Some saints are martyrs. That means they died instead of giving up their faith. All saints lived great virtue and were heroes of charity. Catholics honor God in His saints because it is God who gave them the spiritual gifts that made them holy. By imitating the lives of the saints, we give glory to God. Certain saints are known for doing and helping with special things. These are called patron saints. They pray with us to ask God for our special needs. A patron saint could be the one you are named after or one that is special to you. Let’s see exactly how someone is There are recognized as a five steps! saint. Step The Bishop receives the 1 name of a possible saint. A person is usually dead at least 5 years A Name is sent before being considered. to the Bishop The local Bishop receives the name of someone who has lead a life of great virtue. The Bishop decides that they should be considered for sainthood and sends their name to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The Vatican Step agrees that the person is 2 A Servant of God A Servant of God The Vatican accepts the person for consideration and that person is now called a Servant of God. Step Cardinals agree that 3 the person is venerable Ve n e r a b l e “Venerable” means worthy Cardinals at the Vatican of honor & evaluate the life of the respect! candidate. After approval by the cardinals of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Pope proclaims the candidate "venerable” which means deserving honor and respect. One miracle is needed Miracles Two miracles for beatification and are needed. another one for canonization! A miracle is a action that is only possible if God is acting through that person. Martyrs (those who died for the faith) don’t need to do miracles to be considered a saint. Those who did not die for the faith need to have performed two miracles before becoming a saint. Step 4 Beatification Beatification Information about the person is presented to the Pope. If he finds evidence that they are in heaven and asking for God’s graces for us, he beatifies them. The beatification usually happens in the place where the holy person was from. Step 5 Canonization When the Pope officially recognizes a person as a saint, that person is canonized and the celebration is called the canonization. Canonization The formal declaration of canonization occurs during a special Mass celebrated by the Pope. It usually takes place outdoors in St. Peter's Square in Rome before large crowds. St. Peter’s Square Canonization The canonization ceremony occurs during the Mass. There are three parts to the canonization ceremony. 3 Parts of the Canonization 1. The person’s life history is read aloud. 1. The Pope chants in Latin that the person is now to be considered a saint. 1. A large tapestry (a thick piece of fabric) with an image of the saint is unfurled before the faithful. The Pope Speaks the Words of Canonization in Latin “In honor of the Blessed Trinity, for the exaltation of the Catholic Faith and the growth of Christian life, with the authority of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and Our Own, after lengthy reflection, having assiduously invoked God's assistance and taken into account the opinion of many brothers of ours in the episcopate, we declare and define [name] to be a saint and we enroll him in the Catalogue of the saints, and we establish that in the whole Church he should be devoutly honored among the saints. In the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” There are five main steps for becoming a saint. Can you name them? The Pope Declares 1 RecognitionBishop 3 Ve n e r a b l e The local bishop The Vatican receives the name declares that the of a person to be person lived a life considered and 4 Beatification of “heroic” virtue. The person is reports the name They are a to the Vatican. believed to be in spiritual hero! heaven and We now call them asking God for Start Here! “venerable” graces for us. which means They are called deserving honor Blessed. or respect. Martyrs (people who died instead of giving 5 Steps to up the faith) don’t Sainthood need miracles, but others do. 1. Catholic.org (My favorite!) http://www.catholic.org/saints/fun_fa cts_arch.php 2. Loyola Press http://www.loyolapress.com/saints- stories-for-kids.htm 3. Holy Spirit Interactive http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/ kids/saints/1122.asp.