What does it mean when the Catholic Church beatifies someone?
Is it the same thing when the Church canonizes a person as a saint? If someone is beatified, does that mean we know that person is in heaven with God and can intercede for us?
P.S. … no Catholic bashing please. This is a serious question.
It means the person is about half way to being canonized as a saint.
Saints are people in heaven or on their way to heaven. All Christians dead and alive are saints.
The Catholic Church selects some of the most extraordinary examples, does in-depth research, and canonizes them.
Canonization is the solemn declaration by the Pope that a deceased member of the faithful may be proposed as a model and intercessor (not mediator) to the Christian faithful on the basis of the fact that the person lived a life of heroic virtue or remained faithful to God through martyrdom.
Here is the modern method of canonization:
In order to allow greater objectivity and less emotion, no petition for sainthood can be made until at least 5 years after the candidate’s death.
+ Diocesan Investigation +
A diocese, parish, religious congregation, or association asks the bishop of the diocese in which the candidate died to open the investigation. After Vatican approval, the bishop forms a diocesan tribunal.
Witnesses are called before the tribunal to recount the candidate’s heroic exercise of Christian virtues. All documents regarding the candidate must be gathered.
At this point he is entitled to the title of Servant of God.
+ Vatican Investigation +
All documentation is passed on to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican.
The cause undergoes an examination by nine theologians.
If passed, the cause is for examined by the Congregation.
If passed, the cause is presented to the Pope for approval. A decree is published and read publicly.
+ Beatification +
A miracle attributed to the Servant of God is necessary.
The miracle must be proven through an appropriate investigation and another decree is issued.
Then the Pope decides on beatification.
With beatification, the candidate receives the title of Blessed.
+ Canonization +
Another miracle occurring after beatification is needed for canonization (sainthood), attributed to the Blessed’s intercession.
This miracle must again be proven through an appropriate investigation.
Papal infallibility is involved with canonization.
The Blessed acquires the title of Saint.
http://www.usccb.org/comm/SaintsFinal.pdf
For the latest beatifications and canonizations, see: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/index_canoniz-beat_en.html
+ With love in Christ.
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March 31 2009 09:12 am | Catholic
mercedes on 31 Mar 2009 at 2:55 pm #
They have been credited with performing one miracle and are half way to sainthood.
References :
Cindy Lou on 31 Mar 2009 at 3:16 pm #
i believe it's the term for someone who is in the process of becoming a saint or of being considered to be a saint.
References :
Just-Jon on 31 Mar 2009 at 3:55 pm #
It is a recognition accorded by the Catholic church of a dead person's accession to Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name (intercession of saints). Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process. A person who is beatified is given the title "Blessed".
References :
Wolfeblayde on 31 Mar 2009 at 4:31 pm #
It's one of the steps in the person becoming a saint. They are first declared "Servant of God," then "Venerable." The next step is beatification ("Blessed"), and finally, they are declared a saint if they meet the Church's criteria.
Each step in the process requires long and careful examination of the person's life and writings. If people who knew the individual are still alive, they are asked to give testimony about the person's character, events in their life, etc. The term "Devil's Advocate" refers to the person who brings up any potential reasons why the individual should not be canonized.
And yes, the Church does require a certified miracle (usually involving physical cures) for beatification and canonization. On occasion, the process can be sped up and the person put on the fast track to sainthood. We've seen this with Blessed Mother Teresa, and there are rumors going the rounds that Pope John Paul II will be placed on the fast tract, too. But in any event, you can be assured that if the person is declared a saint, s/he is in Heaven with God and can pray for our needs.
I think that pretty well covers the basics of the process. If you have any more questions, please edit your post, and I'll try to find the answer for you.
References :
Catholic convert
imacatholic2 on 31 Mar 2009 at 4:51 pm #
It means the person is about half way to being canonized as a saint.
Saints are people in heaven or on their way to heaven. All Christians dead and alive are saints.
The Catholic Church selects some of the most extraordinary examples, does in-depth research, and canonizes them.
Canonization is the solemn declaration by the Pope that a deceased member of the faithful may be proposed as a model and intercessor (not mediator) to the Christian faithful on the basis of the fact that the person lived a life of heroic virtue or remained faithful to God through martyrdom.
Here is the modern method of canonization:
In order to allow greater objectivity and less emotion, no petition for sainthood can be made until at least 5 years after the candidate’s death.
+ Diocesan Investigation +
A diocese, parish, religious congregation, or association asks the bishop of the diocese in which the candidate died to open the investigation. After Vatican approval, the bishop forms a diocesan tribunal.
Witnesses are called before the tribunal to recount the candidate’s heroic exercise of Christian virtues. All documents regarding the candidate must be gathered.
At this point he is entitled to the title of Servant of God.
+ Vatican Investigation +
All documentation is passed on to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican.
The cause undergoes an examination by nine theologians.
If passed, the cause is for examined by the Congregation.
If passed, the cause is presented to the Pope for approval. A decree is published and read publicly.
+ Beatification +
A miracle attributed to the Servant of God is necessary.
The miracle must be proven through an appropriate investigation and another decree is issued.
Then the Pope decides on beatification.
With beatification, the candidate receives the title of Blessed.
+ Canonization +
Another miracle occurring after beatification is needed for canonization (sainthood), attributed to the Blessed’s intercession.
This miracle must again be proven through an appropriate investigation.
Papal infallibility is involved with canonization.
The Blessed acquires the title of Saint.
http://www.usccb.org/comm/SaintsFinal.pdf
For the latest beatifications and canonizations, see: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/index_canoniz-beat_en.html
+ With love in Christ.
References :
Believer, wife & mother on 31 Mar 2009 at 5:37 pm #
The process is like a trial and the prows and cons of the life of that person is examined. The first level is Venerable, where they raise the level of the person to living a very prayerful and holy life in the midst of all the turmoils of living on this earth. The second level beatified, where this person can be believed that they are very holy and went through great trial to have achieved the rank. All the suffering they did were bared with great patience and humility and without physical help. Also there has to be documented miracles attributed to them, through the power of God. Then they are raised to the level of Saint. This process can take many years to achieve and is not taken lightly. But note, there are a lot of saint, who have never been recognized in this manner, because they are known only to God. God bless you.
References :
Roman Catholic, Pray the Rosary daily.