THE
MAKING OF A SAINT
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CAUSE
How does someone become a "canonized saint?" The process toward sainthood
for a person begins when a petitioner writes a letter to the Bishop
of the diocese in which the candidate for sainthood lived and/or worked.
With the approval of the Bishop, a Postulator is selected and is authorized
to begin an investigation of the life of the Servant of God. This
investigation sets out to prove the heroic virtue or martyrdom of
the person, discovers if there is a reputation for holiness; determines
if the Servant of God serves as an intercessor for the faithful; and
if any cult surrounds him/her. All of this material as well as a biography
and any published writings are presented to the Bishop for review.
Then the Bishop publishes the petition and witnesses are questioned.
Everything that happens during the Diocesan Inquiry is verified through
depositions relating to the life, deeds, virtues, reputation of holiness
and miracles associated with the Servant of God.
The petition to begin this process for Mother
Luisita was given to the Archbishop of Guadalajara in 1968. In 1976
Father Simeon Tom‡s, O.C.D was named Postulator for the Cause.
On December 12, 1980, Cardinal Palazzini, Prefect for the Congregation
for the Causes of Saints signed the Decree of the Congregation for
the opening of the investigation in the Diocese of Guadalajara, Mexico.
On June 14, 1981, the Edict of the Introduction of the Cause was published
and read at all the Masses in the parishes of the Archdiocese.
THE DECREE OF HEROIC VIRTUE
At this stage, the person's heroic virtues are declared. Which virtues?
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints first examines the three
theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, and then examines
the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.
At the conclusion of this process, theologians and cardinals confirm
that the candidate did, indeed practice heroic virtue. The Holy Father,
then, with the aid of the Consulters from the Congregation for the
Causes of Saints declares the person "Venerable". The Pope himself
promulgates the Decree of Heroic Virtue. The candidate may now be
venerated by all the Faithful.
Mother Luisita was declared Venerable by Pope
John Paul II on July 1, 2000.
BEATIFICATION
At this point all that is needed are two miracles, The first miracle
is required for Beatification. A second miracle is needed for Canonization.
Once the miracle required for Beatification has been performed through
the intercession of the Venerable and recognized as such (unexplainable
by human science or causes), the way is made clear for the Beatification.
This means: _ a date is given for a "feastday" of this person _ a
Mass in honor of this person may now be celebrated in the places related
to his or her life and in in the religious order or diocese of origin
_ The title "Blessed" is now given to the person.
This is the next stage in Mother Luisita's
process toward sainthood. The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred
Heart of Los Angeles invite you to learn more about her and to pray
to her asking for her intercession before God in your present need.
CANONIZATION
The Pope himself makes the formal declaration of "Sainthood". This
step is also known as the canonization of the saint and is the Church's
official declaration that the person is already in heaven and worthy
of public veneration and imitation. The Canonization process follows
beatification and involves another investigation into a person's virtues,
writings, reputation for holiness and miracles ascribed to the person's
intercession since death. One more miracle after Beatification is
required. With canonization follows: _ inscription in the catalog
of saints _ reception of public veneration universally _ invocation
in the public prayers of the Church _ dedication of churches in the
Saint's honor _ celebration of Mass and Divine Office on feastday
universally _ pictorial representations
This is the final stage The candidate is now
given the title "Saint." |
