On Sun, 18 Jan 2009 09:29:41 -0500, hk wrote:

http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...n_Portrait.flv


The Cannonization Process -- just a matter of time. Usually not done until
the individual is deceased, but in Obama's case, death is not a
requirement.

Although once chosen by the democratic method of public acclaim,
the Pope took over the process in the 10th century. Pope John Paul II
further amended the process to follow three main stages.

Stage 1 Veneration

The candidate will be a Catholic who was regarded as being particularly
holy in life. A local Bishop will first examine their life, works and holy
virtues for evidence of saintliness. If he feels them a likely candidate
the findings will then be passed to a panel of theologians at the Vatican
and then to a group of Cardinals called the Congregation for the Cause of
Saints. After these three levels of scrutiny they will then finally be
named "venerable" by the Pope, meaning that they are heroic in nature and
have reached the first level of being sacred.

Stage 2 Beatification

The second stage is called "beatification" and is a stage necessary for
non-martyrs only. A martyr in this sense of the word is someone who has
been murdered or put to death in the name of their Christian faith. For
this stage evidence is needed of one miracle which has happened after the
candidate's death and as a result of a specific request to them. This is
seen as proof that they can intercede for those on earth and act as their
voice in heaven. "From our lips to God's ear" so to speak.

The candidate will then be proclaimed as "beatified" and so can be
venerated by a region or group for whom the candidate's life holds special
significance (much like a Patron Saint).
Stage 3 A Final Miracle

The third and final stage is for both martyrs and non-martyrs alike. For
this stage one more miracle is required. The candidate is then canonized
and officially named as a saint by the Pope.
A New Saint

Once a person becomes a saint their name is added to the catalogue of
saints, they are invoked in public prayers, churches can be dedicated to
their memory, Mass can be offered in their honour, feast days celebrate
their memory, images of them may have a halo and their remains become holy
relics which are publicly honoured.
--
* Procrastinate Now! *

John H