Questions concerning canonization

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Cecimari

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Hello,

My non-Catholic friend was asking why we have a canonization process for saints? He doesn’t seem to like the idea of having a “VIP” ideology for saints who can bring about a miraculous event in their intercession. So why do we have a canonization process now?

I’m sorry if I’m posting this under the wrong category or if this has been answered somewhere else.
 
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints conducts a thorough investigation of anyone proposed for sainthood. Relevant medical documents, witness accounts and certain things have to be examined regarding any miracles attributed to a candidate for sainthood. Aside from martyrship for the faith, with evidence, it is not an automatic thing. The Pope then hears the evidence and makes the final declaration of sainthood. The process can take years.

Only God can perform a miracle. The saint candidate can only offer his or her intercession after someone has prayed to him or her to present their petition to God.

Best,
Ed
 
Right, but my question is why do we go about with this process? Especially since we have many saints who are not recognized by the Church? Saints who are paid no mind because they live simple lives and are not noticed to be holy.
 
Cecimari said:
Right, but my question is why do we go about with this process? Especially since we have many saints who are not recognized by the Church? Saints who are paid no mind because they live simple lives and are not noticed to be holy.
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It’s true that there are many unknown saints in heaven (who are honored by All Saints Day), but the Church wants to point out to us the particularly noteworthy saints that have come to our attention and deserve recognition for living an exemplary Christian life. Hence, canonization, so we can know them by name.
 
Does he understand heroes?
Mentors?
Assure him they take NOTHING from God. I believe that is his issue.
Indeed, they help us come closer to God.
 
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)

So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete your service to me. (Philippians 2:29-30)

Before proposing that the faithful remember and honor a person, as directed by the New Testament verse above, the Church first likes to examine their life in detail to make sure it was indeed exemplary and worthy of imitation.
 
Todd977 said:
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)

So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete your service to me. (Philippians 2:29-30)

Before proposing that the faithful remember and honor a person, as directed by the New Testament verse above, the Church first likes to examine their life in detail to make sure it was indeed exemplary and worthy of imitation.
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Thanks for the verses.

Canonization cannot push anybody into heaven. And, if they are in heaven, the process is irrelevant to them, how can anybody add to the glory that God bestows? And, there’s so much money that changes hands to grease the wheels for the “cause” of canonization. It’s an expensive process. It calls to my mind the now-abandoned sale of indulgences. What has money got to do with it?
 
Also, one key point to remember:
Canonization requires (now) 2 miracles.
One can be in heaven without assisting the miraculous. The miracles are an important factor.
God bless.
 
“Life” does not end with “death”.

When someone dies, our protestant brethren tend to stop praying to them or for them.

But Catholics know that there is a whole world “out there”. Purgatory.

Hell.

Heaven.

Maybe some preternatural states.

And we know that some people “seemed” to have had some unusual abilities … to “perform miracles”.

Special “gifts”.

Or whatever.

No idea how or why.

So, the Church worked to figure out how real this is … thus the “former” 50 year gap between death and formal acceptance of their “sainthood”.

The Devils Advocate.

Some took hundreds of years.

Some, like St. Thomas Aquinas, happened more quickly.

St. John of the Cross.

Others …???

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen?

Pope Pius XII?

Father Solanus Casey?

The “process” defies what some people demand … you know … like a bumper sticker degree of certainty.

The crucified martyrs of Syria of today.
 
Cecimari said:
Hello,

My non-Catholic friend was asking why we have a canonization process for saints? He doesn’t seem to like the idea of having a “VIP” ideology for saints who can bring about a miraculous event in their intercession. So why do we have a canonization process now?

I’m sorry if I’m posting this under the wrong category or if this has been answered somewhere else.
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This may answer you questions, from the CONGREGATION FOR THE CAUSES OF SAINTS: Everything is directed towards "holiness’

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_20050929_saraiva-martins-beatif_en.html
 
Cecimari said:
Hello,

My non-Catholic friend was asking why we have a canonization process for saints? He doesn’t seem to like the idea of having a “VIP” ideology for saints who can bring about a miraculous event in their intercession. So why do we have a canonization process now?

I’m sorry if I’m posting this under the wrong category or if this has been answered somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Here is a very good and detailed explanation from EWTN

ewtn.com/johnpaul2/cause/canonizationhistory.asp

Thanks for asking.

An important part of the current process is Miracles {which only GOD can permit} so that in a very real sense GOD signs off on these Saints:thumbsup:
 
Cecimari said:
Hello,

My non-Catholic friend was asking why we have a canonization process for saints? He doesn’t seem to like the idea of having a “VIP” ideology for saints who can bring about a miraculous event in their intercession. So why do we have a canonization process now?

I’m sorry if I’m posting this under the wrong category or if this has been answered somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Is there anyone your friend admires? A patriotic hero? Civil rights hero? The saints are the heroes of the Catholic Church. We pay to them to ask for their intercession because as Jesus says, “Our God id a god of the living, not of the dead.”
 
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