Recent developments in the Catholic Church have brought into light the ongoing process of canonisation. Pope Francis has approved the first step towards sainthood for Antoni Gaudí, the renowned architect of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Additionally, Carlos Acutis, a teenage web developer known for his digital evangelism, is set to be canonised soon. These events tell the Church’s commitment to recognising individuals who exemplify holiness.
About Sainthood in Catholicism
In Catholic belief, a saint is a person who has demonstrated exemplary holiness. Saints serve as models of virtue and are venerated within the Church. Canonisation is the formal process through which individuals are declared saints. This process typically begins five years after their death, allowing for thorough examination of their lives.
The Canonisation Process
The path to sainthood involves a detailed four-step process known as the “cause”. This process is designed to evaluate an individual’s life and contributions to the faith.
- Servant of God – The local community must initiate the canonisation process. They assert that the candidate lived a saintly life. A special committee from the local diocese investigates the candidate’s life and submits the case to the Congregation for the Cause of Saints in Rome.
- Venerable – The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints assesses the candidate’s life for “heroic virtues”. If satisfied, the individual is declared Venerable.
- Blessed – To achieve beatification, evidence of a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable person must be presented. If the individual was a martyr, this miracle requirement is waived.
- Canonisation – The final step requires proof of a second miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession. Upon verification, the individual is canonised as a saint.
Case Studies – Acutis and Gaudí
Carlos Acutis, who passed away in 2006, was beatified in 2020. His intercession is credited with two miraculous healings. One involved a Brazilian boy and the other a Costa Rican woman. These miracles played important role in his canonisation process. Antoni Gaudí, recognised as a “Servant of God”, dedicated parts of his life to the Sagrada Familia. He is currently in the early stages of the canonisation process. For Gaudí to be canonised, evidence of two miracles attributed to him must be established.
Significance of Canonisation
Canonisation not only recognises an individual’s life but also serves to inspire the faithful. Saints become symbols of hope and faith within the Church. Their lives are celebrated through festivals and their names are often used for churches and institutions.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the significance of the canonisation process in the Catholic Church.
- Discuss the role of miracles in the canonisation of saints in Catholicism.
- What are the implications of recognising modern figures as saints? How does this reflect on contemporary society?
- Critically discuss the impact of saints on community identity and religious practices within Catholicism.
Answer Hints:
1. Examine the significance of the canonisation process in the Catholic Church.
- Canonisation formalizes the recognition of individuals as saints, affirming their exemplary holiness.
- It serves to inspire the faithful, providing role models of virtue and moral guidance.
- The process involves thorough scrutiny, ensuring that only those with heroic virtues are elevated.
- Canonisation helps in establishing a historical and spiritual legacy within the Church.
- It promotes communal identity and solidarity among believers through shared veneration of saints.
2. Discuss the role of miracles in the canonisation of saints in Catholicism.
- Miracles serve as divine validation of a candidate’s holiness and intercessory power.
- Two miracles are typically required for canonisation, demonstrating the candidate’s ongoing influence.
- Miracles can include medically inexplicable healings attributed to the saint’s intercession.
- The requirement for miracles puts stress on the belief in God’s active presence in the lives of saints.
- For martyrs, the miracle requirement is waived, recognizing their ultimate sacrifice for faith.
3. What are the implications of recognising modern figures as saints? How does this reflect on contemporary society?
- Recognizing modern figures marks the Church’s relevance in contemporary issues and challenges.
- It encourages the faithful to engage with modernity while upholding spiritual values.
- Modern saints can inspire younger generations through relatable life stories and struggles.
- The canonisation of contemporary figures can lead to increased dialogue within the Church about current moral and social issues.
- This reflects a shift in the Church’s approach to holiness, making it more accessible and inclusive.
4. Critically discuss the impact of saints on community identity and religious practices within Catholicism.
- Saints serve as focal points for community worship and collective identity among believers.
- Festivals and rituals centered around saints encourage community bonding and shared traditions.
- Saints often embody specific values or virtues that resonate with particular communities.
- Veneration of saints can influence local customs, arts, and social practices within Catholic contexts.
- However, excessive focus on saints may lead to potential distractions from core theological teachings.
