A House of Saints

From Humble Lives to Holy Veneration: The Process of Saint Selection

An in-depth look at the rigorous criteria and meticulous investigation involved in identifying and recognizing saints.

For those of us outside the Catholic Church, the term "saint" often brings to mind images of stained glass, awe-inspiring figures, and perhaps stories of miracles. But how does an ordinary person, living a life of faith, become one of these venerated figures? What meticulous steps does the Church take to identify and formally recognize someone as a saint? It’s a process far more intricate and scrutinizing than many might imagine, designed to ensure clarity and certainty in who is held up as an example of holiness.

The Catholic Church doesn't just spontaneously declare someone a saint. Instead, it follows a structured, multi-stage process known as canonization, which can span decades, sometimes even centuries. This journey is a testament to the Church's desire for thoroughness, seeking not only evidence of a holy life but also, in most cases, what it considers to be divine affirmation.

The First Spark: A Reputation for Holiness

The path to sainthood usually begins not with a formal declaration, but with a person's life and death. When an individual dies with a widespread reputation for exceptional holiness, virtue, or even martyrdom, people might start to informally pray through them or recount their virtuous deeds. This "reputation for holiness" is the initial spark.

Typically, at least five years must pass after a person's death before any official cause can be opened. This waiting period allows emotions to settle and for a more objective assessment of their life and influence. However, the Pope can waive this rule, as was done for figures like Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II, whose reputations for sanctity were immediate and universal.

Stage 1: Servant of God – The Local Inquiry
The official process begins at the local level. The bishop of the diocese where the person died, or where their reputation for holiness is strongest, can initiate a formal investigation. This involves appointing a "postulator" – a sort of advocate whose role is to meticulously gather information about the person's life.

During this diocesan phase, the postulator collects all the individual's writings (letters, diaries, books, articles), meticulously interviews witnesses who knew the person, and gathers any and all evidence of their virtues. This isn't a casual chat; it involves sworn testimonies and rigorous documentation. If the bishop concludes that the person indeed lived a life of heroic virtue and has a solid reputation for holiness, the individual is given the title "Servant of God." This marks the official opening of their "cause."

Stage 2: Venerable – The Vatican's Scrutiny
Once the diocesan investigation is complete, all the collected documents, often many volumes, are sent to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome. This is where the investigation takes on a global scale.

A team of experts, including historians and theologians, pore over every detail. They are looking for clear evidence that the Servant of God lived a life of "heroic virtue." This isn't just about being a good person; it's about demonstrating the Christian virtues (like faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) to an extraordinary, consistent, and exemplary degree, even in the face of immense challenges. They assess whether the individual consistently strove for spiritual perfection and loved God and neighbor above all else.

This rigorous examination culminates in a document called the "Positio," which summarizes the evidence for the individual's heroic virtues. If the theologians, cardinals, and bishops of the Dicastery vote favorably, and the Pope approves, a decree is issued declaring the individual "Venerable." This signifies that the Church recognizes their life as one of outstanding holiness, worthy of admiration and imitation.

Stage 3: Blessed – The Path of Miracles (or Martyrdom)
To progress from "Venerable" to "Blessed" (a stage called beatification), a miracle is typically required for those who were not martyrs. For the Catholic Church, a miracle isn't just a lucky break; it's understood as an extraordinary event, usually a healing, that medical science cannot explain, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable.

The process for verifying a miracle is incredibly stringent:

• Medical Scrutiny: A panel of independent medical doctors, often including non-Catholics, examines the alleged healing. They must determine that the recovery was instantaneous, complete, lasting, and without any scientific or medical explanation.
• Theological Scrutiny: If the medical panel agrees, a panel of theologians then investigates whether there's a direct link between the unexplained healing and prayers specifically offered to the Venerable.

Only after both panels concur, and the Pope gives his approval, is the Venerable beatified and given the title "Blessed." This allows for public veneration, but usually limited to specific regions or religious orders associated with the Blessed.

An important exception exists for martyrs: individuals who were killed specifically for their faith. Their supreme sacrifice is considered a direct testimony to their heroic virtue, and thus, a miracle is not required for their beatification.

Stage 4: Saint – Universal Veneration
The final step, canonization, elevates a Blessed to the status of "Saint." For this to occur, a second miracle, distinct from the one used for beatification and occurring after the beatification ceremony, is typically required. This second miracle undergoes the same exhaustive medical and theological investigation as the first.

If this second miracle is confirmed, the Pope formally declares the Blessed a Saint during a solemn ceremony. This declaration is understood by Catholics as an infallible statement that the individual is truly in Heaven and worthy of universal public veneration throughout the entire Catholic Church.

Why Such a Rigorous Selection?

From an outside perspective, one might wonder why the Catholic Church demands such meticulous proof. The answer lies in the profound significance attributed to saints. They are not merely historical figures; they are seen as living examples of faith, hope, and charity, providing concrete models for how to live a holy life. The rigorous selection process ensures:

• Certainty and Authenticity: That those held up as examples are genuinely worthy.
• Divine Affirmation: Miracles are seen as God's own seal of approval on the sanctity of the individual.
• Protection for the Faithful: To ensure that veneration is directed only towards those truly believed to be in Heaven and worthy of such honor.

The journey from a humble life to formal sainthood is a testament to extraordinary virtue, unwavering faith, and, for Catholics, divine favor. It's a process that combines human investigation with a profound belief in the supernatural, ultimately aiming to inspire millions through the lives of those deemed truly exemplary.