Saints

What is a saint?

In the Catholic church a saint is a person who lived a holy life, and someone whose life can be an example to others who want to live a holy life In the Catholic church there are four steps to becoming a saint. For the process to start a person must be dead for at least five years.

First step: When the subject arises that a person should be considered for Sainthood, a Bishop which is usually the local bishop of where the person lived, is placed in charge of the investigation of the person's life, to see if they lived a holy life. If it is determined that the candidate is deemed worthy of further consideration, the Vatican give them the title "Servant of God."

Second step: If the local Bishop’s investigations show that the person lived a holy life, he sends the case to the “Vatican's congregation for the causes of the saints” which is a group of people the Pope put in charge of recognising saints. If these people agree that the person lived a holy life then the person gets the title “Venerable”

Third step: The next step is that the person is beatified and considered Blessed. For this to happen one miracle must happen through the candidates intercession. The Vatican then investigates the miracle. If it is proved to be a miracle then there is a mass called a beatification, and the candidate is called “Blessed”.

Forth step: The last step is for a person to be canonised. For this to happen another miracle must happen through the candidates intercession. When this miracle is proved the person is declared a saint by the Catholic church in a ceremony called canonisation.

Some Saints... Saint Anthony, patron saint of things that are lost. Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. Saint Teresa of Avila, patron saint of headache suffers.

Saint Patrick Saint Patrick became a saint through his holy mission in Ireland. He endeavoured to drive paganism out of Ireland and he greatly succeeded making Ireland a centre for Christianity. He lived his life in the path of righteousness as a missionary. He introduced Christ to all non- believers whom he met despite all the obstacles posed by the pagans during his time. He also inspired many modern missionaries to go abroad and evangelize other people.

Prayer about Saint Patrick God our Father, you sent Saint Patrick to preach your glory to the people of Ireland. By the help of his prayers, may all Christians proclaim your love to all men. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.