The path to becoming a saint in Christianity is a difficult and mysterious one, from its selection process to the processes of veneration after beatification or canonization. To become a saint, an individual has to have a life that exhibits the qualities of holiness — both extraordinary works of service and supreme holiness — and a permanent acceptance of being an example for others. But what does a Christian have to do to be a saint?
The first step is becoming a Christian. Christians must have faith in God and follow his teachings, which appear in the Bible. Aspiring saints should live a life of humility and submission to God’s will and regularly pay spiritual attention to their faith. Saints must also be spiritually devoted to the sacraments: Mass, Communion, and other sacramental celebrations.
The second step is to live a life of purity by avoiding all types of sins. Saints cannot simply think of themselves or their own needs and desires, instead they must selflessly turn towards others and serve them. To become a saint, a Christian must be mindful of their thoughts, words, and actions, always striving to do what is right and to ultimately serve God’s will. Saints should also practice charity — giving of time and resources, including money, to those in need — and live in service to those less fortunate regardless of the sacrifice that entails.
The third step is prayer. Saints will continually reach out to God, asking for strength and guidance. Candidates for sainthood should reflect on scripture and focus on the message of Jesus. They should also pray for the salvation of their souls and the souls of others, both living and deceased.
The fourth and final step toward becoming a saint is to live a life of physical, moral, and spiritual strength. Aspiring saints must be steadfast in their faith and be a beacon of strength and perseverance in their day-to-day lives, even when confronted with hardship. Saints should embrace God’s love and peace and be strong in the face of adversity.
Sacrifices To Become A Saint
Real saints must make tremendous sacrifices: they must give up their lives and livelihoods to follow Christ’s command. They must surrender their worldly possessions or pass them on to other members of the community in the form of charity. They must also distance themselves from their former lives, relationships, and emotional attachments; instead, they must focus on living for a higher calling — the service of God — without regard for their own well-being.
Those wishing to become saints must also seek out holy practices and lifestyles. This may mean fasting, abstaining from vice, or taking on some form of specialized ministry. It may mean regularly attending religious services or visiting holy sites. It could also mean using a portion of one’s time to serve the disadvantaged — aiding the homeless, comforting the afflicted, or doing charity work.
In order to become a saint, one will have to bear several hardships along the way. Saints are tested constantly and temptations are plentiful. It takes immense fortitude, discipline, and self-denial to withstand the challenges along this path of holiness.
In addition, aspiring saints must find those who can testify of the holiness in their life. This means having a good reputation amongst the community and being honored by their peers for their work in service to others.
Resourceful People for Becoming a Saint
To become a saint, an individual must also have a steady relationship with God and other like-minded people who are also devoted to serving him. Spiritual mentors, advisors, and witnesses can be integral in helping a would-be saint make the right decisions and embrace the holy life. These people must be knowledgeable and trustworthy, with the Christian looking to them for wisdom and direction.
In the same fashion, a candidate for sainthood must seek out guidance in Scriptures. To become a saint, the individual must be versed in the spiritual messages of the Bible and other spiritual texts, and be able to interpret and apply these teachings to their everyday life.
The would-be saint should also cultivate humble and open-minded peers who will listen to their inner voice and provide advice when needed. A saint should not be led by pride and arrogance, but instead, should move in life with humility, compassion, and meekness.
Exemplary Lives for Becoming a Saint
Finally, saints must live exemplary lives that are filled with the holiest of deeds. This means giving freely of their time and resources, empowering the poor and needy. Saints must practice mercy and compassion and judge none, and they should also model integrity and love in all areas of life.
saints must embody virtuous lives, actively doing works of charity and selflessly helping others in need. This can mean aiding the poor or vocally advocating for causes that uplift humanity, such as racial justice or environmentalism.
The testimony of other holy people in the church community is also necessary in order to become a saint. According to the Catholic Church, two miracles must be attributed to an individual to take him or her to sainthood.
Miracles are verified by a team of independent investigators and experts, conducted by the Catholic Church, who examine the miracles and evaluate their veracity and authenticity. If the team finds the miracle to be authentic, then the candidate for sainthood is beatified and officially declared a saint.
Veneration and Worship
Once an individual is canonized, they become venerated by their followers, who often pray to them in times of need. This veneration isn’t meant to replace worship of Christ, but instead to serve as a reminder of the existence of holiness, and to seek the comfort and help of a saint in times of trial and tribulation.
Additionally, veneration extends to the legacy of the saint — holy relics, paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts that commemorate their lives. These artifacts serve to remind believers of the ideals and values held by the saint and encourages them to strive for meaningful life.
Veneration is also a way to honor the achievements and dedication of the saint throughout their life. Saints are meant to be a source of inspiration, and their stories can serve as a model for Christians to follow in their own lives.
Catholics Beliefs on Becoming a Saint
Catholics believes that all people have the potential to become saints, if they fully surrender their lives to Christ and make a conscious effort to live a holy life. They also believe that saints are already present in the world, though they may not be canonized by the Church.
The Church also believes that one should never aspire to be a saint, as this is a form of overreaching pride, but rather strive to honor God’s will and serve others in charity and humility. Working towards sainthood is a great life goal, but it is important to remember that it is ultimately God who chooses the saints, and not the people.
Saintliness is something that humans have strived towards for countless centuries, and it remains an ideal to which many people aspire. Becoming a saint is a process that requires hard work, dedication, and a true desire to serve God’s will.
Challenges of Becoming A Saint
The journey to sainthood can be a long one, and there can be many challenges along the way. Becoming a saint requires a deep commitment to holy living and constant vigilance in avoiding sin. The would-be saint must also be able to withstand harsh criticism and persecution from those who do not believe in a life of holiness.
In addition to this, becoming a saint is full of uncertainty. Saints must be willing to give up their own life for the cause, with death often a very real possibility. This can lead to great emotional distress and suffering, as one must accept the possibilities and prepare for their own mortality.
The path to becoming a saint is full of obstacles, but it is also full of potential growth and vigor. If a Christian is truly dedicated and prepared to make the necessary sacrifices, they can embark on the journey to saintliness. Aspiring saints must understand that the journey is difficult and long, but if they are steadfast in their faith, they may indeed achieve the status of sainthood.
Effects of Becoming A Saint
Becoming a saint is a significant achievement that can have both positive and negative effects. It can bring good fortune and notoriety, but it can also be a double-edged sword — those who are canonized have an immense responsibility to live up to their title, and must always strive to stay true to their faith.
Being a saint can also bring great satisfaction, knowing that one has dedicated their life to holy living and service to God. This can bring peace and inner contentment that no material thing can ever replace. To be a saint is to truly lead a life of holiness, a life that is devoted to the Lord and His will.
Furthermore, becoming a saint leads to a wealth of spiritual benefit, such as stronger prayer life, an increased sense of divine guidance and inspiration, and a deeper connection with God. The individual may also be provided with special graces and blessings, as sanctity is believed to be an avenue to the promise of salvation.
Impact of Becoming A Saint
The impact of a saint on the world can be immense. Saints are seen as shining examples of what is possible with faith and determination, and they often become symbols of hope and strength to those in need. Their stories inspire others to seek the path of holiness, and the example of their lives can have a lasting and profoundly positive effect on those fortunate enough to encounter their example.
Saints can also serve as intermediaries between God and people, interceding for mankind and providing spiritual aid when needed. As saints are martyrs of faith, their stories can be inspirations to those who may be struggling in life.
Finally, sainthood can be a source of healing and peace for all. Saints serve as a reminder that God is always with us, no matter how dark and unbearable the times may seem. Even centuries after their deaths, they can still serve as beacons of hope and provide guidance and spiritual sustenance in times of sorrow or despair.
