Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Taylor Kemp discuss the process of canonization in the Catholic Church, including its definition, history, and importance. They explore the role of saints in Catholic worship and the belief in seeking their intercession. They also discuss the steps involved in the canonization process, the role of miracles, and the purpose it serves in affirming someone's presence in heaven with Christ. They highlight the power of God's grace, using St. Augustine as an example, and emphasize the value of the canonization process for the spiritual life.
Canonization is the official recognition by the Church that a person is worthy of veneration and can be incorporated into public worship, involving a rigorous process of investigation and approval.
Praying to saints is seen as part of God's plan of salvation, allowing for a personalized and relatable experience of faith and demonstrating the breadth of God's love and power.
Deep dives
The Process of Canonization and the Church's Understanding of Saints
The podcast episode explores the process of canonization in the Catholic Church and delves into the Catholic understanding of saints. Canonization is the official recognition by the Church that a person is worthy of veneration and can be incorporated into public worship. The process involves opening a cause by the Diocesan Bishop, collecting testimonies and information about the person's life, vetting by theological and medical commissions, and finally approval by the Pope. The episode emphasizes that canonization is not about making someone a saint, but rather about uncovering their sanctity and affirming their presence in heaven. It also highlights the importance of miracles in the canonization process as a divine affirmation of the person's sanctity.
The Role of Saints and Intercession in the Catholic Faith
The podcast episode discusses the role of saints and intercession in the Catholic faith. It explains that while it is not necessary to pray to saints or ask for their intercession, it is a beautiful and empowering practice. The saints are considered to be the hands and feet of Christ, and their actions in our lives are nothing other than the action of Christ. Praying to saints is seen as part of God's plan of salvation, as it allows for a personalized and relatable experience of faith. Saints serve as examples of holiness in different life circumstances and demonstrate the breadth of God's love and power. The episode emphasizes that turning to saints for intercession is not for their own merit, but for what Christ did in them.
The Purpose and Importance of Canonized Saints
The podcast episode explores the purpose and importance of canonized saints in the Catholic Church. It highlights that canonization sets up safe and appropriate models for Christian life, providing heroes who are exemplary in various aspects of life. Canonized saints give hope and comfort by demonstrating that there are people like us in heaven. They affirm the power of God's grace and the transformative potential of holiness. The episode also acknowledges that canonization is a high bar for sanctity, ensuring that the process is guided by human judgment and divine affirmation. It concludes by emphasizing that saints are not made by the Church, but rather recognized and affirmed in their union with Christ.
Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Taylor Kemp discuss canonization: its definition, history, and how it works. Why do we honor the communion of saints? What leads to saints' official incorporation into public worship? What about miracles? Learn all about these topics in this episode.
