Subject: What is a patron saint? |
Bible Note: terrib, I don't think "exempt from purgatory" is how it is phrased, but a canonized saint is assumed to be in heaven. It is possible according to Catholic teaching that we can by the grace of God and our co-operation with that grace so sanctified as to avoid purgatory of the final cleansing before entering heaven. And yes there is an investiagtor and a requirement for two miracle attributed to the saint's intercession ( in and through Christ)for canonization. Cathoics can privately ask for the intecession in prayer of anyone they believe to be in Christ, whether in heaven or on earth. Canonoization formalizes and alllows that prayer to become a part of the public liturgy of the Church. In the investigation before canonization there is a also a party assigned to dispute the claim of those promoting the cause of canonization. In the past that person was called the Devil's Advocate and his job was to bring evidence to contradict the claims of sanctity, kind of like Satan in the book of Job. In fact there was a novel from the 1950's by that title, which I believe wa made into a movie. I will see if I can find a link on the subject for you. Emmaus |