What is Canonisation
Canonisation is the process by which the Catholic Church officially declares that a deceased person is a saint. Someone who lived a life of heroic virtue and is now in Heaven with God, able to intercede for those on earth.
Key Points of Canonisation
- Meaning of the Word:
- The word canonisation comes from the Greek kanon, meaning “rule” or “standard.”
- In this context, it refers to placing someone in the “canon” or official list of saints recognized by the Church.
- Theological Significance:
- When someone is canonised, the Church is not “making” them a saint. It is recognizing what God has already done.
- Canonisation is considered an infallible act of the Pope, meaning the Church believes with certainty that the person is in Heaven and worthy of public veneration.
- Stages of the Canonisation Process:
The path to sainthood typically involves several formal steps:- Servant of God: After a person dies with a reputation for holiness, a bishop may open an investigation into their life.
- Venerable: The Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints reviews the evidence and, if the person demonstrated heroic virtue, they are declared “Venerable.”
- Blessed (Beatification): One miracle (attributed to the person’s intercession) is required for beatification, unless the person was a martyr.
- Saint (Canonisation): A second miracle is typically required after beatification, at which point the Pope may canonise the person.
- Why It Matters Spiritually:
- Saints are models of holiness, showing us how to live the Gospel in different circumstances and vocations.
- Canonisation encourages devotion to the saint and often leads to the establishment of feast days, churches, and prayers in their honor.
- It also affirms the Communion of Saints. The belief that the faithful on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven are united in Christ.
- Examples:
- St. Ignatius of Loyola was canonised in 1622 after a thorough investigation of his life, virtues, and miracles.
- St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) was canonised in 2016 after the Church confirmed two miracles attributed to her intercession.
Readings
Canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, the first saints of Pope Leo XIV
Daily Saints Chronicle GPT
Adapts daily to celebrate saints and virtuous individuals.
