Why do Catholics call themselves sinners as opposed to 'saints'?
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Lee1
Guest
Yes.
A person canāt call themselves a saint.
A person canāt call themselves a saint.
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Lee1
Guest
Sorry I donāt have that.
You asked why Catholics call themselves sinners and not saints. Is it because Catholics are sinners tc, the answer is yes. And we canāt call ourselves saints, thatās something the Church would have to do if at all.
You asked why Catholics call themselves sinners and not saints. Is it because Catholics are sinners tc, the answer is yes. And we canāt call ourselves saints, thatās something the Church would have to do if at all.
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Lee1
Guest
What do you think is being said here as a matter of interest?
Edit: I see youāve changed your post, okay. God bless.
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Wesrock
Guest
The term saint in the early Church referred to all Christians, but the usage has changed since then. The term saint is now commonly used to refer to those now in Heaven. Itās not a change in theology, itās just the word being used differently.
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HeDa
Guest
We are saints after a really good Confession until we start sinning again (which could be like 3 seconds after leaving the confessional). 
Most Catholics would describe themselves as forgiven sinners after Confession and hope to be on the way to sainthood. Here and now but not yet if we continue to say āYesā to God.
Most Catholics would describe themselves as forgiven sinners after Confession and hope to be on the way to sainthood. Here and now but not yet if we continue to say āYesā to God.
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ProdglArchitect
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Because in Catholic usage, a Saint is primarily a person who has the Beatific Vision (is in Heaven). We donāt qualify.
We recognize that some of the Biblical writers used Saint in reference to the Church on Earth, and thereās nothing wrong with that given how the word was understood at the time. Thatās just now how weāve come to use the word as Catholic language has advanced. The title of saint has developed in meaning to the point where itās no longer appropriate to apply it to those who are still running the race.
Also, by calling ourselves sinners, we are reminded of our constant need for repentance and Godās mercy.
We recognize that some of the Biblical writers used Saint in reference to the Church on Earth, and thereās nothing wrong with that given how the word was understood at the time. Thatās just now how weāve come to use the word as Catholic language has advanced. The title of saint has developed in meaning to the point where itās no longer appropriate to apply it to those who are still running the race.
Also, by calling ourselves sinners, we are reminded of our constant need for repentance and Godās mercy.
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Roguish
Guest
I never call myself a sinner except during confession, so Iām not sure where you get the idea that many Catholics say that they are sinners. Most of us are in fact sinners, of course, but I donāt have the impression that many Catholics go around announcing or discussing that. Itās more of a Lutheran/Evangelical thing, if you ask me. But perhaps you get this impression from the many āscrupulosityā threads on this website.
As for saints, a man should call himself a saint if he is one, and there simply arenāt many around ā not in this world anyway. So it might take a while before you run into one.
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pnewton
Guest
The definition of saint has so evolved over the years that it means something different to Catholics than those who believe in the Bible alone. They go back to the original meaning where saints were all Christians. Catholics think of the word in term of the departed, usually the canonized.
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