Elevating a Person to Sainthood always includes the Good and the Bad

By Larry Peterson

On May 12, 2013, the Catholic Church canonized 802 saints. Blessed Antonio Primaldo and the other 799 soon-to-be saints were living in the town of Otranto in southern Italy. The year was 1480.

Refusal to convert to Islam was a death sentence

The Ottoman Turks had taken over the city and demanded these "infidels" convert to Islam. They refused and were all murdered. In addition to those 800 being elevated to sainthood, Blessed Maria Garcia Zavala of Mexico and Blessed Laura Montoya of Columbia were also canonized that same day.

The 802 newly canonized saints joined the roles of more than 10,000 saints who are recorded in the Catholic Church Hagiography. How did over 10,000 people manage to be canonized? It may have to do with the fact that in the early years of Christianity, many different communities honored or venerated hundreds of people whose stories were not backed by solid facts.

Some people made up stories. For example, St. George the Dragon Slayer is from the third century. He is honored by both Muslims and Christians. Is the story a fact or a legend? In the French countryside St. Guinefort was venerated as the protector of babies. It seems that Guinefort saved a baby from a snakebite. The only problem was that Guinefort was a dog.

Interestingly, 52 of the first 55 popes became saints during Catholicism's first 500 years. During the last one thousand years, only eight popes have attained sainthood, including Pope St. John Paul II,  Pope St. John XXIII, and Pope St. Paul VI.

The First Saint formally canonized was St.Ulrich of Augsburg in the year 993.

The first saint formally canonized was St. Ulrich of Augsburg. He was canonized by Pope John XV in 993. During the 12th century, the Church, realizing they needed an orderly system, began to put a process in place.  Then, in 1243, Pope Gregory IX proclaimed that only a pope had the authority to declare someone a saint. That process still exists to this day.

So, what is the actual process on the road to sainthood? We know this for sure, sainthood is not an easy honor to attain. There are five steps in the journey. The first step begins in the neighborhood where the proposed saint lived and was known.

A person must be dead at least five years before the process can begin

After a person has been dead for five years (this time frame may be waived by the Pope), friends and neighbors may get together and document all they can about that particular person. They would then present their evidence to the local bishop requesting he begin an investigation into the person's holy and exemplary life.

Suppose the bishop decides the evidence is worthy of the cause moving forward. In that case, he may appoint a "postulator" to represent the cause. If, after further investigation, they feel the cause is worthy, they forward it to Rome.  Now the evidence  goes before the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. At this point in the process, the person receives the title "Servant of God."

The Congregation for the Causes consists of nine theologians who thoroughly review all the documentation. They examine the person's writings, and all aspects of their life are picked apart. Nothing can go against the teachings of the Church.

The Devil’s Advocate

The Congregation must be sure before moving forward. The Congregation even had a “Devil’s Advocate”*. This job was active for 400 years until restricted by Pope St. John Paul II in 1983. If they decide the candidate has been a person of “heroic virtue,” they are declared “Venerable,” and their cause moves towards the next step: Beatification. 

In Odium Fidei

Except in the cases of martyrdom, Beatification requires one miracle. The candidate's character and holiness have already been established, but having a miracle attributed to someone can take centuries. If a person has been killed for their faith, they have been martyred “In Odium Fidei,” which means “In hatred of the faith.” 

This death is honored with Beatification, and the title Blessed is bestowed on the person. Father Jacques Hamel, who was murdered while saying Mass in France in 2016, is an example of someone experiencing this type of death.

In defensum castitatis

Another death is called “in defensum castitatis,” meaning, “in defense of purity.” This, too, warrants Beatification, and the person is given the title of Blessed. Two young Catholic heroines who died in this manner are St. Maria Goretti and Blessed Pierina Morosini.

Maiorem hac delectionem (nemo habet)

Pope Francis recently introduced a new road to sainthood. It honors those who sacrificed their lives for others. (The Mercedarians are known for this). This is called “Maiorem hac delectionem (nemo habet),” which means; “Greater love than this (no man hath).”

Lastly, there is Canonization. At this point, we are waiting for one more miracle. Upon that happening it is given to the Pope who makes the final decision. It is then a person is declared a saint.

To all saints (and those in the queue), please pray for us all.

Copyright © Larry Peterson2023