Checklist for Sanctity: It Is Doable

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beckycmarie

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I’ve compiled a list from the homily and documents posted in this old thread to create a user-friendly “Checklist for Sanctity.”

(For quick reference, the homily can be found here and the documents here and here.)

The homilist explains that this list “is a translation of the questionnaire that Church authorities use for the process of beatification and canonization based on the Moral and Theological Virtues.” He quotes the document he’s reading:
"The questions asked the witnesses in examining lives of servants of God are determined by the Church. They give the official test of the Church on Christian perfection and holiness. These questions have an authority above that of any spiritual writer. For encouragement, let us note that they describe Christian perfection as something to which we can all aspire.”
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Since the list is too long to squeeze into one post, the following seven post will contain the checklist for each virtue.
 
Temperance

Were denial of his own will and internal mortification characteristics of the servant of God?
Did he restrain the motions of anger and concupiscence?
Did he bear persecution with meekness and patience?
Was he unduly tenacious of his own opinion?
Was he sparing in the use of food and drink?
Did he observe the fasts of the Church?
Did he indulge in long hours of sleep? Was his bed comfortable or uncomfortable?
Was he anxious to be well clothed and well housed?
Did he neglect the comforts of life?
Did he mortify the senses?
Did he love silence and solitude?
Was he modest in his demeanor?
Did he show temperance in all his words and actions?
 
Fortitude

Was he constant and faithful in the exercise of virtue?
Was he strong and faithful in the duties of his office?
Was he tireless in work?
Was he patient in persecution, injury, calumnies, trouble of mind and spiritual dryness?
Has he borne all these with a joyful and cheerful spirit?
Was he always himself, not elevated by prosperity nor depressed by adversity?
Did he despise the honors, riches, and pleasures of the world?
Did he constantly defend the rights of the Church and restrain immorality of wicked men?
Did he overcome the assaults of the demon and all human respect?
Was his fortitude evident in his last illness, indicating he possessed the gift of final perseverance?
 
Justice

Was he affable, friendly towards others?
Was he helpful to others?
Was he subject to his parents and superiors?
Did he show himself grateful for favors received, and strive to excite gratitude in others?
Did he discharge with justice the duties of the office committed to him, avoiding all favoritism?
Did he so temper the severity of justice with kindness that no one could ever have just cause of complaint against him?
Did he render unto God due honor and obedience?
Did he pay veneration to the saints?
Did he show devotion to the Blessed Virgin, his Angel Guardian, and his patron saints?
Did he accept the decrees of the Supreme pontiffs with proper respect and reverence?
Was he exact in the observance of the sacred rites and ceremonies of the Church?
Did he endeavor to promote the worship of God and sanctify the Sundays and holy days?
Did he respect the rights of all and give them what was due to them?
Did he hate usury and fraud of every kind?
Was the truth always in his heart and mouth?
 
Prudence

Did he direct all his actions to the attainment of eternal glory as his last end, and select the necessary and useful means?
Did he love simplicity, and was he sincere and true in thought and word, and did he hate all duplicity and falsehood?
Did he seek the advice of prudent men and act on it, and was he ready to give counsel when asked?
Were all his acts good, and did he first invoke divine aid for their due performance?
Had he a deep hatred of idleness as the source of vice, and did he love meditation and solitude?
Did he endeavor to preserve purity of conscience and a holy fear of God?
Did he take care to avoid all stain of sin?
 
Faith

Did he often return thanks to God that he was born in the bosom of the Catholic Church, or that he received the grace of conversion to it, and pray that all would be brought within her fold?
Did he always gave a firm assent to all the articles and mysteries of Faith?
Did he observe faithfully the precepts of God and the Church?
Did he adore with fervor the mysteries of the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, and Blessed Sacrament?
Did he burn with the desire of propagating the Catholic Faith?
Did he teach the truths of Christianity to the faithful, and did he teach the catechism?
Did he rejoice when some erring one was converted to the Catholic Faith?
Was he grieved when the Church suffered loss or persecution?
Was the decoration of the house of God and the observance of the sacred ceremonies dear to his heart?
Did he love devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and he endeavor to propagate it?
Did he pray long and frequently before the Blessed Sacrament?
Did he show a tender devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ? Did he often meditate on this mystery? With what fervor and piety? Did he strive to enkindle this devotion in others?
Did he burn with the desire to shed his blood for the truths of faith?
Did he venerate the Sacred Scripture and writings of the Holy Fathers?
Did he obey the laws of the Church and the commands of his Superiors?
Did he show honor to the Sovereign Pontiff and all the ministers of God?
Did he desire to gain Indulgences?
Did he hate all bad books and everything opposed to the Faith?
Did he frequently approach the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion?
Did he pay special veneration to the Blessed inhabitants of Heaven, and with what devotion did he honor them?
 
Hope

Did he firmly hope for eternal salvation from the merits of Christ Our Lord?
Did he despise the things of this world, and how did he show this contempt?
In trying circumstances did he place his trust in God alone, and did he have recourse to prayer?
Did he show his hope in God by ardent and pious exclamations?
Did he raise up others to confidence in God - namely, the poor, the afflicted, the sinners?
Did he show a desire by word and work to suffer for eternal glory?
Did he rejoice at the near approach of death as the beginning of new life?
With what confidence did he practice good works? Did he strive to excite this confidence in others?
In adversity was he resigned to the goodness of God and the decrees of His Providence?
Did he direct his desires and all his actions to God as his last end?
Did he bear cheerfully adversity and persecution?
Did he desire with St. Paul to be dissolved and be with Christ?
Did he bear infirmity and suffering with a joyous spirit?
 
Charity

Love of neighbor in regard to spiritual works:
Did he pray for the conversion of sinners?
What were his relations towards his enemies and persecutors?
Did he forgive them, receive them meekly, return good for evil, and pray for them?
Did he endeavor to prevent discord?
Had he at heart the character and good name of others?
With what frequency and fervor did he offer up prayers for the souls of the deceased?

Love of neighbor in regard to corporal works:
Did he comfort the afflicted?
Did he excuse when opportune the defects of his neighbors?
What was his attitude towards the sick?
Did he devote himself to their spiritual and physical well-being?
Did he love the poor, help them according to his ability, and strive to induce others to assist them?
Did he love the sick and poor more than others?
Did he instruct the ignorant and give counsel to those in doubt?
Did he admonish sinners; restore peace and concord amongst the quarrelsome?
Did he clothe the naked?
Did he visit and relieve those in prison?

Love of God:
Was his mind was always fixed on God, and in union with God, and by what acts, words, or aspirations was this union made manifest?
Did he hate sin, and take care to preserve himself from every defect?
Did he strive to blot out imperfections by prayer and frequentation of the Sacraments?
Did he diligently observe the laws of God and the Church?
Did he speak often of God?
Was his prayer constant and fervent?
Did he remain long in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament?
Did he lead others to the practice of prayer?
Did he meditate on the Passion of Christ ,and by what acts did he show his devotion to the Passion?
How did he show devotion to the Blessed Virgin?
Did he prevent the commission of sin, and feel sorrow for it when committed by others?
Did he endeavor to inflame others with charity towards God?
Did he by fasting and mortification bring his flesh into subjection that he might be more pleasing to God?
Had he a supernatural desire for affliction, contradiction, contempt, and how did he bear them?
Did he endeavor with his might to excite others to praise the divine goodness?
What did he do when anyone gave utterance to blasphemy?
 
Beckymarie,
Thank you for your time and good efforts in this. I am going to copy it to a fine and print it out.

Peace
James
 
Becky, thank you for posting this. It is very helpful. Have a Happy New Year!🙂
 
Hi InLight! May He who makes all things new bless you abundantly in 2011 and always.
 
Thank you Becky! I’m going to add this to my computer “Favorites” so I can refer back to it.
 
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