Guide to Saint Hood

While investigating about martyrs, I came across the guide to sainthood. I found them quite simple, yet they are the most complex events that one must participate that one will ever come across.

Blessed Pope John Paul II

 The Catholic Church teaches that there are 4 steps the becoming a Saint. One: after death, the college of bishops considers if this person should be considered a "Servant of God" usually on how holly their life (or death) was. When the subject arises that a person should be considered for Sainthood, a Bishop is placed in charge of the initial investigation of the person's life. If it is determined that the candidate is deemed worthy of further consideration, the Vatican grants a "Nihil Obstat." This is a Latin phrase that means "nothing hinders." Henceforth, the candidate is called a "Servant of God." This and all steps are omitted of he or she died in the name of God and he or she are immediately canonizes.

Two: The Church Official, a Postulator, who coordinates the process and serves as an advocate, must prove that the candidate lived heroic virtues. This is achieved through the collection of documents and testimonies that are collected and presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. When a candidate is approved, he or she earns the title of "Venerable, " meaning that he or she lived a life of sanctity but not enough to be considered a saint.  Three: The pearson is beatified and recognized as a "Blessed." This means that one miracle acquired through the candidate’s intercession has been recorded in addition to recognition of heroic virtue (or martyrdom in the case of a martyr).

Finally: Canonization requires a second miracle after beatification, though a Pope may waive these requirements. (A miracle is not required prior to a martyr’s beatification, but one is required before his or her canonization.) Once this second miracle has been received through the candidate's intercession, the Pope declares the person a "Saint."

“You can’t be a saint unless you live among the lepers.” -Ned Flanders