How Do You Become A Saint

So, you want to become a saint? Excellent choice! It’s the ultimate career move, with benefits that last forever. No 401(k) can compete with eternal grace.

First, the good news: you don’t need to be perfect. In fact, being a little messy is kind of a requirement. Most saints started out as regular, flawed humans—some were even former party animals or criminals.

Think of Saint Augustine. He famously prayed, “Lord, make me chaste—but not yet!” That’s my kind of honesty. If he can make it, there’s hope for all of us.

Okay, let’s get real. How does this actually work? The process is called canonization, and it’s a bit like applying for a very exclusive club. But instead of a velvet rope, you get a halo.

Step One: Be a Really, Really Good Person (No, Really)

You have to die first. I know, bummer. But it’s a non-negotiable starting point. Don’t rush this part—live a full, joyful life first.

While you’re alive, you need to live with what the Church calls “heroic virtue.”” That’s fancy talk for being incredibly kind, patient, and selfless—even when traffic is awful. Think of it as being the best version of you, every single day.

You also need a solid reputation for holiness. Your friends and neighbors should say, “Wow, that person is annoyingly nice.” It helps if you do something extraordinary, like forgiving a huge betrayal or feeding the hungry for decades.

Step Two: Wait Five Years (Unless You’re Pope)

After you pass away, there’s a mandatory five-year waiting period. This is not a vacation. It’s a cool-down period so nobody gets emotional and rushes the process.

If you’re a pope or a martyr, the rules get bent. Martyrs get a fast-track—dying for your faith is like cutting to the front of the line. Pope John Paul II’s waiting period was waived because crowds chanted “Santo Subito!” (Saint Immediately!). Rock star status helps.

During this time, a local bishop investigates your life. He reads your diaries, interviews your friends, and checks if you were secretly a jerk. If you pass, your case goes to the Vatican.

Steps To Becoming A Saint Catholic – SSMSR

Step Three: The Vatican Gets Involved (Bring Coffee)

Your case is handed to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. This is a committee of very serious cardinals and historians. They are the ultimate fact-checkers.

A “devil’s advocate” (yes, that’s a real job title) argues against you. They try to poke holes in your holiness. It’s like a job interview, but you’re dead, so you can’t sweat.

If they agree you lived a heroic, virtuous life, the Pope declares you “Venerable.” Congratulations! You’re officially holy, but not yet miracle-working holy. Close, but no halo.

The Miracle Requirement (The Fun Part)

To become “Blessed,” you need one miracle attributed to your intercession. This is usually a scientifically unexplained healing. Think: a tumor that vanishes overnight, or a blind person suddenly seeing rainbows.

Vatican doctors and scientists must confirm the healing was “inexplicable.” They are very skeptical. They want proof, not wishful thinking. It’s like the X-Files, but with more incense and Latin chants.

If you get one miracle, you’re beatified. That means you can be venerated locally. Your hometown gets a parade, and people start asking you for favors like finding lost keys or passing exams.

Step Four: The Second Miracle (The Big One)

To become a full-blown saint (the final level), you need a second miracle. This one usually happens after you’re beatified. It’s like earning a gold star after getting a silver one.

PPT - We believe in the Communion of Saints PowerPoint Presentation

Again, the miracle must be verified by a team of doctors. If a nun prays to you and her broken leg heals instantly, that counts. If it heals slowly? Sorry, you’re still “Blessed.” Keep working on your cosmic Wi-Fi signal.

Once the Pope signs off on the second miracle, you’re scheduled for a canonization ceremony in St. Peter’s Square. Thousands of people cheer, and your statue gets a golden halo.

But Wait—What If You Don’t Get a Miracle?

Don’t worry. You can still be a saint without the official paperwork. The Church recognizes “heroic virtue” in everyday people. You can live a quiet, holy life and be a saint in God’s eyes—just not on a stained-glass window.

Your grandma who always baked cookies for the neighbor’s kids? She might be a hidden saint. That’s the kind of holiness the world really needs.

So, the secret to sainthood isn’t about dying dramatically or performing magic tricks. It’s about loving fiercely, forgiving endlessly, and laughing at yourself when you trip over your own feet.

Here’s the uplifting part: you can start right now. You don’t need to die first. Every small act of kindness—sending a sweet text, giving up your bus seat, listening without interrupting—is a tiny miracle.

You are already made for greatness. The world is desperate for more good, silly, brave people who try their best. So go out there and be a little bit more saintly today.

And if you accidentally swear at traffic later? Forgive yourself. The saints did that too—they just had better PR agents in heaven.