SAINTSSAINTSWhat Everyone is Called to

Be.

• This will be posted on Edlio today.

A “saint” is someone who is recognized by the Church as one who had an extremely close relationship with God and who tried to live according to God’s Will for her/his life.

Saints are people through whom we come to a better understanding of:

1. what God is like, and2. the kind of lives we should/could be living today.

Pope John Paul II canonized 482 Saints between 1982-2004.

He canonized more saints in 22 years than all of the Popes in the previous 500 years combined.

Why??

By doing this, Pope John Paul II showed that he believed strongly in the presence of holiness in our world TODAY – not just in the past.

Who is Called to be a Saint?

• Every single person.

How Does a Saint How Does a Saint Become a Saint?Become a Saint?

The Canonization ProcessThe Canonization Process

The process through which a holy person becomes an official Saint in the Church is called “canonization.” It generally begins at least 5 years after a person’s death.

Step 1: ResearchStep 1: ResearchA group is appointed by a bishop to investigate the person’s life and holiness.

During this stage, the person is referred to as a “Servant “Servant of God.”of God.” If the investigation is approved, the person is called “Venerable.”“Venerable.”

Step 2: MiraclesStep 2: Miracles

Miracles must be seen as being achieved through the intercession of that person. Once this is proven the person is called “Blessed.”“Blessed.” This step is called “beatification.”“beatification.”

Final Step: CanonizationFinal Step: Canonization

After another miracle is attributed to this person, the Pope will make a formal declaration of “canonization”“canonization” and the person is called a Saint!Saint!

ClarificationClarificationIt is important to realize that we do not pray TO saints, as if they were equal to God.

Rather, we honor the Saints for their holy lives and, because of their close connection with God, we ask the Saints to pray WITH and FOR us.

HomeworkHomework

Your patron saint is either the saint who shares your name or a saint with whom you feel a special connection – for whatever reason.

Who is/would you like to claim as your “patron saint?” Look up this saint.

Look up this saint. Consult either. . . the list of saints at: www.catholic.org/saints/stindex.php or

the list of patron saints at: www.catholic.org/saints/patron.php

Additional Saint info is available at: http://www.catholic-saints.info

On Loose Leaf / Handwritten or Typed

• 1. In your Summary, explain why you chose this saint.

• 2. When were they born? • 3. Why are they a saint? List 5 reasons.

• 4. Choose 3 other reasons you find your saint interesting.

• 5. When did they die? / How did they die? / What is their Feast Day?

• It can be typed or handwritten. Be ready to present your saint in class on the day you chose on the calendar. 30 points.

• You cannot choose the same saint as anyone else.

• Write it down and turn it in or email it when you have made your choice. Has to be completed before end of May.

A person’s “patron saint” could be the saint with whom she or he shares a name.

Patron saints are also chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life (occupations, illnesses, countries, etc.) This practice seems to go back to the 4th century.

For example . . . For example . . . St. Gianna and Saint Luke Doctors

St. Maria Goretti & St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Teens

St. Joseph Families

St. Thomas Aquinas College Students

The patron saint of the USA is the Blessed Mother, with the title “Immaculate Conception.”

Some of The Church’s Most Some of The Church’s Most Influential SaintsInfluential Saints

St. Therese (1873)St. Frances Cabrini (1850)

St. John Neumann (1801)

St. Padre Pio (1887)

St. Augustine(354)St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774)

St. Monica (331)

St. Rose of Lima (1586)

St. Francis of Assisi (1181)

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225)

St. Katharine Drexel (1858)

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656)

Blessed Theresa of Calcutta (1910)