The saints are a valid point of reference for the Catholic religion. We address our prayers, carry them in processions, entrust our pains to them, and trust them to find peace. But who are the saints, and why do we nurture this devotion to them? In our new article, we want to tell the story of the saints more closely and the reason that drives us to feel them so close to us.
Saints in the Catholic Church
The saints are people like us; they do not have hidden skills reserved for a select few. All Christians become potential saints when they receive the gift of baptism. God calls all his children to holiness but not all respond. The saints the church recognizes are those who answered “Yes” to Jesus’ call and followed his path by placing faith in him. Not all saints are perfect; many hide a turbulent past. Let’s think, for example, of Saint Francis of Assisi. Who grew up in a very wealthy family but who, when he heard the voice of the Lord, chose to listen to it and follow it?
There are no univocal characteristics that define the figure of the saint. For the Catholic faith, we are all destined to become saints, and each, of us has the gifts and skills to be so. This figure is a model of reference for all the faithful who are called to imitate his attitude of obedience to God and love of neighbor. After his death, the saint will live in Heaven forever in total communion with God. Thanks to this union, the saint will be an intercessor for the living, a channel of love through which the faithful can communicate with God.
Read also: Why Did Jesus Need to Be Baptized?
The story of the saints
Christianity used the word “holy” to indicate every Christian as being consecrated by baptism. Initially, they all physically and spiritually followed Jesus and the scriptures. Subsequently, the term began to suggest Christians killed for their faith in Christ, defined as “martyrs.” It was possible to distinguish them from those who chose to deny belief in God to avoid martyrdom. This meant that the cult of martyrs soon joined the cult of the dead.
It was Pope Damasus I who encouraged the cult of martyrs. Once the persecutions were over. He took care to restore the catacombs to bring to light the tombs of the saints. The martyrs were then joined by confessors or those who had professed the Christian faith all their life. Even if they were not victims of martyrdom, one of the first non-martyr saints we can remember is Saint Martin of Tours.
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Representation of The Saints in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Saints: who are they?
The Christian community then began to show great devotion to these figures and their relics. Owning a relic was a prestige factor for the city that could have attracted numerous pilgrims and the riches they brought with them. Particular importance is also given to the apostles and martyrs. Here are the Catholic saints in order of time and significance of worship:
- Jesus
- Mary and Joseph
- Archangel Michael
- Archangels Gabriel and Raphael
- Holy angels and kings
- Holy patriarchs and prophets
- Holy apostles and evangelists
- Holy disciples
- The martyrs and confessors
- Holy monks, hermits, and ascetics
- Infant and virgin saints
- Holy fathers and doctors of the Church
- Mystical saints and patrons.
Read also: What is archangel Phanuel known for?
Canonization: from a servant of God to a saint
The church has the task of consecrating, after death, the transformation from man to saint. This process is called canonization. In this way, it is possible to verify the heroic path of faith of the candidate for canonization.
The process is the responsibility of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which puts each of the four phases into practice one at a time:
- First phase: Servant of God. The church attributes this title to people who have distinguished themselves for the “holiness of life” and have undertaken the beatification process.
- Second phase: Venerable. The title is attributed to people deemed worthy of veneration by the faithful, thanks to their virtues.
- Third phase: Blessed. Beatification is a necessary step to becoming a saint. It is considered a stamp that authorizes the cult of the future saint to all the faithful.
- Fourth phase: Holy. Finally, the blessed is ready to become a saint and intercede for God on the faithful.
Read 5 Ways to Humble Yourself Before The Lord according to the Bible.
Conclusion
Following the Second Vatican Council, holiness is interpreted more modernly in the twentieth century. While before, it was almost totally attributed to people who had dedicated their lives to the church, that is, priests, bishops, and nuns, today we can count numerous lay martyrs of the faith. So, among the first saints of the Catholic Church to be mentioned, we find the Virgin Mother of God. The cult of the Madonna is decisive; for this reason, it is considered higher than that of the other saints. A particular cult is also reserved for St. Joseph, Mary’s husband, who testifies to her honor and greatness over all the other saints.
Pope Francis also dedicated thought to the saints and said, “Saints are not supermen.” In these simple words, a great truth is often difficult to remember. On the occasion of the Feast of All Saints, the Pope recalls that “The saints were not born perfect. They are like us, like each of us, people. Who, before reaching the glory of heaven, lived an everyday life, with joys and sorrows, fatigue and hopes “.
