What is a saint?

A saint is someone made holy by God’s grace and united with Christ. The word can describe every faithful Christian, but Catholics commonly use it for those who have died and are with God in heaven.

What the word means. “Saint” comes from a word meaning “holy one.” St. Paul addresses living Christians as saints because Baptism consecrates them to God and makes them members of Christ (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2). This does not mean every Christian is already morally perfect. It means Christians belong to God and are called to grow in holiness. Every baptized person is called to the fullness of Christian life and charity (CCC 2013).

The saints in heaven. Those who die in God’s grace and friendship, and who are fully purified, live forever with Christ (CCC 1023). Scripture presents heaven as filled with a great multitude from every nation worshiping before God’s throne (Rev 7:9-10). Many of these saints are known only to God. The Church celebrates all of them together on the Solemnity of All Saints.

Canonized saints. Some saints are formally canonized. Through careful investigation, the Church examines a person’s life, teaching, reputation for holiness, and reported miracles. When the pope canonizes someone, the Church solemnly recognizes that the person practiced heroic virtue or suffered martyrdom, is in heaven, and may be publicly honored throughout the Church (CCC 828). Canonization does not cause someone to enter heaven. It recognizes what God has already done.

Why Catholics honor them. The saints remain members of Christ’s Body. Death does not break the communion created by Christ (CCC 946-948). Because they are united more closely to Him, they pray for the Church and help us by their intercession (CCC 956). Asking a saint to pray is similar to asking a Christian friend for prayer, except that the saint now sees God and cannot be separated from His love.

Catholics worship God alone. They honor saints as God’s faithful servants, learn from their examples, and ask for their prayers. Read the life of a saint whose struggles resemble yours, then ask that saint to help you follow Christ faithfully.