NOVEMBER 1, 2017
11:55 AM MASS
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints.
We often think of canonized saints as the only type of saints. But saints are real people, not statues. By virtue of our Baptism, we are called to be saints.
In order to be a canonized saint, there are five steps.
- Be dead for 5 years.
- Local bishop opens an investigation of their life and sends it to Rome. When it is accepted by the Congregation for Saints, the individual is given the title "Servant of God."
- The Congregation for Saints reviews the materials from the investigation and if it is determined that the person lived a life of "heroic virtue," they are given the title "Venerable."
- Then, there are two possibilities. If the person died for the faith as a martyr, they can automatically move on to the next step. Otherwise, there must be a miracle attributed to their intercession. The miracles are fastidiously examined and must be outside of science. If the person was indeed a martyr, or if a miracle occurred through their intercession, they are given the title of "Blessed."
- Finally, after this, if a second miracle can be attributed to their intercession, they are given the title of "Saint."
The difference between Blesseds and Saints is that Blesseds are for a particular region, while Saints are for the whole world-wide Church.
Now, for ourselves, how do WE become the saints we are called to be?
- First is Holiness. This means, literally, "set apart for service to God." Every time we set aside something: time, effort, or ourselves ... in service to God, we grow in holiness. Saints gave all they had to God, and we can work toward giving more and more of ourselves to God.
- Second is Virtue. We all have good and bad points to our lives - virtues and vices. Saints had "heroic" virtue. This means that they allowed God to perfect, through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, their virtues; while working to lessen their vices – and make up for their mistakes.
- Finally, is Perseverance. Saints may not have been perfect, but they all kept trying. Never give up on being a Saint, and never be discouraged. Work constantly to grow in holiness and virtue, and God will bless your effort, and through His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, your imperfect efforts will be perfected through God's power.
And that's how Saints are determined, and how YOU can be a Saint!
