What Are the Requirements for Sainthood?
Part of the Saints For Dummies Cheat Sheet
To become canonized as a saint, a perfect track record isn’t required (or possible). Hence, being sinless isn’t on the list. So, what is required for sainthood?
Two verifiable postmortem miracles
Note: Canonization (sainthood) requires two miracles, whereas beatification (blessed) requires only one.
Evidence of having led an exemplary life of goodness and virtue worthy of imitation, having died a heroic death (martyrdom), or having undergone a major conversion of heart where a previous immoral life is abandoned and replaced by one of outstanding holiness
Formally declared saints are chosen ultimately by the pope, but only after a thorough investigation of the life, writings, and legacy of the saint candidate. No stone is left unturned. Testimony from witnesses and experts, physical evidence, and the entire life of the person is examined with fine detail. Every skeleton in the closet is taken out, and all dirty laundry looked at — if any exists, that is.
Catholicism GlossaryThe religious season before Christmas when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Catholicism GlossaryA raised table-like structure from which a priest celebrates Mass.
Catholicism GlossaryA canon law decree that declares that a marriage was never a valid sacrament in the first place, usually because one or both of the partners did not enter into it with good faith and intentions.
Catholicism GlossaryThe 12 men who accompanied and supported Jesus and were trained by him to spread Christianity.
Catholicism GlossaryA large diocese run by an archbishop.
Catholicism GlossaryThe first day of Lent when Catholics are anointed with ashes as a reminder of their mortality.
Catholicism GlossaryThe essential sacrament that washes away original sin and welcomes the baptized person into the Church.
Catholicism GlossaryThe Catholic belief that God, the one Supreme Being, is made up of three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Catholicism GlossaryA man ordained first to the priesthood, then elevated to the next level by the pope. A bishop oversees a diocese; an archbishop oversees an archdiocese.
Catholicism GlossaryA branch of Catholicism that recognizes the authority of the pope and celebrates the sacraments, but whose rituals differ from those of Western or Roman Catholic sects.
Catholicism GlossaryThe supreme law of the Catholic Church that spells out the rules and regulations that guide the Church.
Catholicism GlossaryAn ordained man elevated to the step just below the pope. Cardinals help the pope administer to the faithful and a new pope is elected from among them when a pope dies.
Catholicism GlossaryA book that contains the doctrines of Catholicism.
Catholicism GlossaryA formal and solemn oath to never enter the married state. Priests take a vow of celibacy.
Catholicism GlossaryThe gold or silver cup that holds the wine that will become Christ’s body and blood during the Mass.
Catholicism GlossaryA member of the clergy.
Catholicism GlossaryA sacrament during which a Catholic confesses all known mortal sins to a priest.
Catholicism GlossaryThe part during the Mass when the priest changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus.
Catholicism GlossaryA Christian oath, stating what Catholics believe as revealed to them by God through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Key Catholic creed are the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.
Catholicism GlossaryAn ordained man who normally has no intention or desire of becoming a priest. A deacon may be single or married.
Catholicism GlossaryA collection of parishes overseen by a bishop.
Catholicism GlossaryThe day in the Catholic calendar when a specific saint’s holy life and deeds are remembered.
Catholicism GlossaryThe act of touching the right knee to the floor while bending the left knee as a gesture of respect and obedience to God.
Catholicism GlossarySponsor to a child or adult being baptized.
Catholicism GlossaryThe Friday before Easter Sunday; the day Jesus died on the cross.
Catholicism GlossaryA totally free, unmerited gift from God. Grace is a sharing in the divine; the inspiration to do God’s will.
Catholicism GlossaryReligious garb.
Catholicism GlossaryA place of eternal joy and the ecstasy of dwelling with God.
Catholicism GlossaryA place of eternal torment and damnation.
Catholicism GlossaryThe essential sacrament of Catholicism in which a host consecrated by a priest becomes literally the body and blood of Jesus and is received by the Catholic faithful.
Catholicism GlossaryA day in the Catholic calendar when all Catholics must attend Mass.
Catholicism GlossaryThe sermon given after the Gospel is read at Mass. Different than a sermon in that it’s a explanation and reflection on the Word of God, read only by clergy.
Catholicism GlossaryA wafer of bread used in a Eucharistic service. It becomes the Host (capitalized) when consecrated.
Catholicism GlossaryIncapable of error. The pope is believed to be infallible when he teaches a doctrine on faith or morals to the universal Church.
Catholicism GlossaryNon-ordained, everyday Catholics. Members of a religious organization who are not clergy.
Catholicism GlossaryA layperson trained for the task of reading at Mass.
Catholicism GlossaryThe 40 days before Easter, when Catholics prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus through fasting, abstinence, and prayer, often giving up a specific treat for the duration of the season.
Catholicism GlossaryThe formal, official worship service of Catholicism. Catholics are required to attend Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation.
Catholicism GlossaryA sin that kills grace; committing a mortal sin is tantamount to choosing Hell over Heaven.
Catholicism GlossaryThe only sanctioned birth control method for Catholics, it relies on charting a woman’s fertile cycle and abstaining from sex during fertile periods to prevent pregnancy.
Catholicism GlossarySin passed down to every human from Adam and Eve; the Sacrament of Baptism washes it away.
Catholicism GlossaryA collection of neighborhoods in one region of a county within a given state under the spiritual care of a priest.
Catholicism GlossaryThe supreme head of the Catholic Church.
Catholicism GlossaryAn ordained man responsible for administering the sacraments and tending to the spiritual health of his parishioners.
Catholicism GlossaryA spiritual state of the soul in which it is purified before entering heaven.
Catholicism GlossaryA rite established by Jesus Christ to bring grace to those participating in or receiving it. The seven sacraments of Catholicism are Baptism, Penance, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.
Catholicism GlossaryA student training for the priesthood.
Catholicism GlossaryThe equivalent of Protestant divinity school where men are trained for the priesthood.
Catholicism GlossaryA gesture of respect in which a Catholic uses the right hand to touch the forehead, then the middle of the breast, then the left shoulder, and finally the right shoulder.
Catholicism GlossaryGod’s laws as given to Moses. Following the Commandments is the path to a holy life; breaking them is the basis of sin.
Catholicism GlossaryThe act of changing the substances of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Catholicism GlossaryThe physical seat of the Catholic Church; the pope lives and rules from the Vatican.
Catholicism GlossaryA transgression that inflicts a slight wound to the soul and which may be forgiven by making a confession and a sincere act of contrition.
