Critics of the Church may sometimes point out the absurdity of naming someone a saint. “Surely they lived a good life,” the argument begins, “but how can we possibly claim that a person has been saved?”
Let’s begin by recalling what a saint is. Indeed saints are people like Franics, Paul, Ignatius – those famous people we have honored throughout history – but also all those who happily enjoy eternal life with the Father. Anyone can be a saint – your grandmother, friend, or even your fourth-grade teacher! The Church however, in hoping to provide an example for us to strive towards, making known those Christians who have eclipsed the marks of ordinary personhood. People who have strived valiantly for holiness and who pass through the Church’s standards for sainthood are officially canonized as saints.
When a person has a profound impact on those around them, the bishop of that person’s diocese may desire to look into that individual’s life in order to determine the sort of life that person led. We might call the aura of respect around a person “fame of sanctity” or “fame of martyrdom”. The bishop submits the information he has collected to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and a person, if accepted, would then be named a Servant of God. For example, the co-founder of the Catholic Worker, Dorothy Day, is currently classified as a Servant of God.
The next step involves determining the person’s character while on Earth, essentially asking the question: “did this person’s heart strive towards good?” The Church examines the person’s actions and attitudes, ensuring that she or he was living up to the moral standards set by those who came before them. If the candidate clears this process, they are deemed Venerable. Fulton Sheen, the wildly famous Archbishop of the new media, fits this category.
The next step, beatification, is only attainable via the confirmation of a miracle, believed to be attributed via the intercession of that person. The rationale behind this step is that the person is indeed enjoying the splendor of Heaven and intercessing for us who remain on Earth. Miracles must be reviewed by a group of scientists, then theologians, and finally the Pope. Jerzy Popiełuszko, a Polish priest and martyr, is currently recognized as a Blessed or Beatified.
Finally, if one has a second miracle attributed to their personhood, the Church declares them a saint. The process is indeed long and particular, but the Church desires to have the utmost clarity in making such a determination. And remember, this process is for the formal declaration of a recognized saint. The whole of the community of saints does not experience such scrutiny. Indeed, we know not the number saved, but the Church can offer us exemplary individuals who have demonstrated an ability to connect humankind to the Father in a unique way.
This article could not have been possible without the following sources: https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-process-of-becoming-a-saint.html https://focusoncampus.org/content/how-does-someone-become-a-saint-a-5-step-process http://www.usccb.org/about/public-affairs/backgrounders/saints-backgrounder.cfm
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