Explaining canonization process to jr. high kids?

[catechizeme]

Can anyone point me to a concise, easily understood source on the Church’s canonization process? I need to summarize it on a bulletin board for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, and so far everything I’ve found is extremely long and extensive.

I need something I can easily translate onto a bulletin board with bullet-points.

Any ideas on how to do this on a board and make it ‘eye-catching’ so the kids will look at it would be appreciated too!

 

[Imryl]

EWTN Live just had a show about this topic on 9/9/2009 which can be found here.
A document released by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) regarding the process of canonization can be found here.

 

[japhy]

Can anyone point me to a concise, easily understood source on the Church’s canonization process? I need to summarize it on a bulletin board for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, and so far everything I’ve found is extremely long and extensive.

This is a rather succinct presentation of the modern process.

 

[Eucharisted]

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

828 By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly pro claiming 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. “The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history.” Indeed, “holiness is the hidden source and infallible measure of her apostolic activity and missionary zeal.”

 

[aicirt]

As an aside, you might want to suggest they read My Cousin, The Saint by Justin Catanoso.

It is the true story of Mr. Catanoso discovery that he had a saint in the family who was beatified by Pope John-Paul and canonized by Pope Benedict in 2005.

Saint Gaetano Catanoso was a cousin of the author’s grandfather. Mr. Catansos describes the saint’s life and explains the process through which a person becomes a saint. Saint Gaetano was born in the 1880s, died in the 1960s, performed his first miracle the day after his death. An easy read.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

This is a rather succinct presentation of the modern process.

This is a good summary. For a bulletin board, I would list out the headings as:

1. 5 years from death
2. Heroic virtue (with a sub heading for the diocese and the vatican)
3. First miracle
4. Second miracle

I think most kids would understand the miracles and the reasons for waiting a few years after death. The issue that will be the hardest for them is “heroic virtue”. That is more than just being a really nice person or kind to little kids and animals.

If you are also going to have a discussion about the process, that is where I would spend my time. Not really on the ins and outs of the Vatican commitees, but on the real meaning of heroic virtue–since all of us are called to it!

 

[japhy]

The issue that will be the hardest for them is “heroic virtue”. That is more than just being a really nice person or kind to little kids and animals.

Yes, St. Francis isn’t a saint because he loved nature.

If you are also going to have a discussion about the process … on the real meaning of heroic virtue–since all of us are called to it!

I agree whole-heartedly. Use the canonization process as a segue into living lives of heroic virtue, since we are all called to be great saints (as Mother Angelica says).

I think young children need to learn that love (that is, charity) is not just a feeling or an emotion: true love is a virtue. Teach them to recognize and seek in prayer for the virtues!

 

[Kasey1]

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

828 By canonizing some of the faithful, i.e., by solemnly pro claiming 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. “The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history.” Indeed, “holiness is the hidden source and infallible measure of her apostolic activity and missionary zeal.”

Nice work–thank you for sharing-
Thanks so much for this.

 

[Joe_5859]

Pflaum has a two page easy explanation of the canonization process on their website (and it’s already done up pretty ):

pflaum.com/pdfs_8_09/culturecanon.pdf

You may need to register (for free) on their website to view it. I skimmed through it and it looks pretty good. It’s not in bullet points, but it’s short and easy to understand.

 

[catechizeme]

You guys are great! Thank you for all the help!