As Christians, we’re all called to be saints.
Saints hold a special place in the Catholic Church. They’re not just revered figures but also serve as role models for all Christians.
A “saint” refers to a holy soul reunited with God in Heaven. The word “saint” comes from the Latin word sanctus, which translates to “holy.”
Saints, whether officially canonized in the Catholic Church or not, are souls in heaven who lived virtuous lives on earth, serving as models of holiness. This includes those who were martyred because of their faith or those who selflessly offered their lives for others.
The Process of Becoming a Catholic Saint
The journey to sainthood, known as canonization, involves several steps:
- Servant of God
- Venerable
- Beatification
- Canonization
Learn more about the canonization process here.
Role and Importance of Catholic Saints
Saints hold a significant place in Catholicism for several reasons:
Intercessors
Catholics believe saints can intercede for them, praying to God on their behalf. This belief roots in the idea of the Communion of Saints, a spiritual solidarity between the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven.
Models of Holiness
Catholic Saints serve as inspirational figures, demonstrating how to live out the teachings of Christ. Their lives provide practical examples of how to handle various challenges and situations with faith and virtue.
Patron Saints
A patron saint is a saint who is a special intercessor with God for a particular nation, place, craft, activity, or group of people. History, certain traditions, or significant moments in a saint’s life can often determine a saint’s “patronage” or specific area of intercession.
Catholics choose a patron saint during the sacrament of Confirmation, where they select a saint to model their lives after and look to for special intercession throughout their lives. It’s also common for groups or organizations to select a patron saint to draw a special connection to.
As a missionary organization, we’ll often ask for the intercession of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries! FOCUS even chooses a patron saint for our SEEK conference every year! This year, our patron saint was St. Joan of Arc.
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The patronage of Catholic saints can be incredibly diverse or oddly specific… we pulled together a list of some of the most random things saints are patrons of!
Celebrating Saints
The Catholic Church honors saints throughout the liturgical year, celebrating their feast days. These commemorations are opportunities for the faithful to reflect on the saints’ lives and seek their intercession. All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1, is a solemnity recognizing all saints, known and unknown.
FAQ: Understanding Catholic Saints
1. What is a Catholic saint?
A Catholic saint is a holy soul with God in Heaven. The Church recognizes saints for their virtuous lives on Earth and they serve as role models for Christians. They include martyrs, those who selflessly offered their lives for others, and individuals who lived exemplary lives of faith and virtue.
2. How does someone become a Catholic saint?
The process of becoming a Catholic saint, known as canonization, includes several stages:
- Servant of God: The initial phase where a person’s life and writings are investigated.
- Venerable: Recognition that the individual lived a heroically virtuous life.
- Beatified: The person is declared “Blessed” following verification of a miracle attributed to their intercession.
- Canonized: The person is officially declared a saint by the Pope after a second miracle is confirmed.
3. What is the difference between beatification and canonization?
- Beatification is the step before canonization in the process of declaring a Catholic faithful as a saint. During beatification, the individual is declared “Blessed,” and it requires one miracle attributed to their intercession, except in the case of martyrs. Beatification permits veneration of the individual on a local or regional level, or within particular communities.
- Canonization follows beatification and is the official act by the Pope that declares a blessed person as a saint. This allows universal veneration of the saint in the Catholic Church. A second confirmed miracle is typically required for canonization.
4. How are the patronages of saints determined?
- Patronages are often based on the life, actions, or miracles associated with the saint. For example, a saint who was a doctor might become the patron saint of physicians, or one known for healing miracles could be invoked by those suffering illnesses. Historical events, specific professions, or personal protection are also common bases for assigning patronage.
5. What role do Catholic saints play in the Church?
Saints are vital in Catholicism for several reasons:
- Intercessors: They pray to God on behalf of the faithful.
- Models of Holiness: Their lives demonstrate how to live out the teachings of Christ.
- Patron Saints: They serve as protectors and guides for nations, places, crafts, activities, or groups
6. What is a patron saint and how are they chosen?
The Church designates a patron saint to oversee a specific area or theme. Devotees commonly seek the intercession of their patron saint, asking them to pray to God on their behalf concerning this particular matter. The Church chooses a patron saint based on their life, traditions, or significant moments that connect them to a specific area or group. During the sacrament of Confirmation, Catholics select a saint to emulate and seek guidance from throughout their lives. Organizations also choose patron saints for special connections and intercessions.
7. How does the Catholic Church celebrate saints?
The Church honors saints by celebrating their feast days throughout the liturgical year, with each saint having a designated day for remembrance and veneration. All Saints’ Day on November 1 is a solemnity that recognizes all saints, both known and unknown.
8. Who are some famous saints?
Some well-known Catholic saints include:
- St. Peter and St. Paul, both foundational figures in the early Christian Church.
- St. Francis of Assisi, known for his love of nature and animals, and founder of the Franciscan order.
- St. Thomas Aquinas, a philosopher and theologian famous for his works on Christian doctrine.
- St. Joan of Arc, the patron saint of France, known for her role in the Hundred Years’ War and her visionary experiences.
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower, famous for her simple and practical approach to spirituality.
- St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, celebrated for spreading Christianity throughout Ireland.
- St. John Paul II (Pope John Paul II), known for his influential role in ending communism in Eastern Europe and significantly shaping the modern Catholic Church.
- St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa), renowned for her charitable work with the poorest of the poor in India and around the world.
9. Are new saints still being made?
Yes, there are multiple canonizations happening every year! Some of our newest saints include names you probably know, like Mother Teresa or Pope John Paul II. Some newly canonized saints from this past year include Saint Giuseppe Allamano and The Martyrs of Damascus.
10. Where can I learn more about Catholic saints?
You can explore more about Catholic saints through resources like Catholic Online, which hosts a catelogue of all Catholic saints.
Make sure to explore FOCUS Equip too – we’ve got a bunch of articles and resources about your favorite saints! Check out some of them in the “Additional Resources” section of this blog.
Additional Resources
FOCUS alumna Michelle Duppong, passed away from cancer in 2015. The Diocese of Bismarck opened an investigation into Michelle’s life of holiness, which could eventually lead to her canonization. Listen to our podcast to learn more!
For more on the Catholic saints, check out a few of these articles on FOCUS Equip:
Favorite Saints’ Favorite Saints (and Their Other Devotions)
Saints Are Still Being Made: Meet Chiara Corbella Petrillo
St. John Bosco and the Power of Relationships
What St. Marianne Cope Teaches Us About Leading From the Front
4 Lessons from Sts. Joachim and Anne – Our Spiritual Grandparents
For even more great Catholic resources, you can check out our podcast with talks from our SEEK conference and our YouTube channel for videos, and more!
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