There are three kinds of saints recognized by the Church: Biblical saints, traditional saints, and ecclesiastical saints. Biblical saints lived in the time of the Bible, such as Mary and Joseph. Traditional saints were martyrs, monastics, Church Fathers, and missionaries who lived in the first millennium, before a canonization process existed, so their sanctity was recognized through the liturgy. After the first millennium, a canonization process was established to investigate the sanctity of candidates for recognition as saints. If the investigation begins, the candidate is known as a Servant of God. Once evidence of martyrdom or heroic sanctity is found, the candidate becomes a Venerable. If the candidate advances to become a Blessed, the local church or community will venerate them through the liturgy like a saint. If the candidate is a martyr, then they automatically become a Blessed; but if not, then evidence must be found that they are already in Heaven. That is, evidence of an intercessory miracle that defies natural explanation must be found. If their importance extends beyond the local church or community to the universal Church, as shown by their intercessory miracles, then the Pope can proclaim the candidate as a Saint. At this point, the universal Church will venerate them through the naming of Churches and mentioning them in the liturgy. The Church has dedicated different days to commemorate different saints who gave witness to God at different times and places, showing us that everyone can walk on the path to holiness through the grace of God.
Spiritual Talk – Fr. Ho talks about Saints
