What is happening to Pope John Paul II this weekend?
In official Church procedures there are three steps to sainthood: one becomes Venerable, Blessed and then a Saint. This weekend, SUNDAY, Pope John Paul II will be declared Blessed. This is the 2nd step in the process to become an official saint of the Roman Catholic Church.
The first step is Venerable, it is the title given to a deceased person, recognized as having lived a life with heroic virtue. To be recognized as a blessed, and therefore beatified, in addition to personal charity and heroic virtue, one miracle acquired through the individual's intercession is required. This miracle is tested by the church, along with the person’s charity and virtue by a person entitle the “devil’s advocate.” It is that person’s job to try to disprove the individual’s holiness, so that the Church is “sure” about the individual’s sanctity.
Canonization requires two miracles, though a Pope may waive these requirements. Martyrdom does not usually require a miracle. This is due to the fact that they died defending their faith!
A long time ago, when the beatification and canonization procedures were not yet officially documented and processed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (instituted in 1588 by Pope Sixtus V) the Holy Father led to the proclaiming of saints after the local people fostered a devotion to those who had passed away. The pope would declare a saint canonized. This was the case, for example, of St. Francis of Assissi, St. Anthony, etc.
Pope John Paul the 2nd died in 2005. The miracle that has been attributed to his intercession is the healing -unexplainable by science - of a French nun affected by Parkinson's just after the pope's death from the same disease. There have been other miracles, but this is the one documented miracle that was brought forth by the individual responsible for this beatification and canonization process.
During the Beatification in Rome, this Sunday, the body of Pope John Paul II will be removed from its grave and enshrined in the upper basilica of St. Peter’s. It is currently in the crypt. When I was in Rome, just four weeks ago, I saw the Italian marble craftsmen working in the upper basilica getting the altar ready. His body will be at the altar just to the left of the famous Pieta statue, carved by the talented Italian artist Michelangelo.
Blessed Pope John Paul II is a saint of our times. Calling for conversion, renewal, a love for the truth, the youth and a demand for the respect and dignity of every human person!
May he intercede for us all, inspire us, and convict us that God is calling all of us to be saints. Few, if any of us will ever go through the official canonization process; but may we all seek to the SAINTS of God! When you have your tombstone made…leave room just to the left of your name for two letters- St.