Is Joan of Arc a Saint? What are the qualifications or process?

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I just read a book about Joan of Arac and also a watcha movie about her. Does any one knows if she is a saint? What is the procedure for sainthood. Does on have to die before being made? a saint?

-- John Williams (rjswilson@netzero.net), December 10, 2003

Answers

Response to Is Joan of Arc a Saint? Whjat are the qualifications or process?

Well John,

First of all, the Church does not "make" people saints. All those humans beings who are in heaven are already saints. Canonization by the Church is just an official declaration that a certain person is in fact in heaven, and therefore is a saint. But the saint's status is not changed by the Church's declaration - just officially acknowledged.

The Bible refers to the members of the Church on earth as "the saints". However, canonization of a saint by the Church is reserved for those who are in heaven, and therefore who have died. The Church cannot canonize a person who is still alive on earth, no matter how holy they are, because no-one's salvation is assured until they die. Even a very holy person can fall victim to sin, turn away from God, and forfeit salvation. It happened to one of the twelve Apostles hand-picked by Jesus Himself. Yes, Saint Joan of Arc is a canonized saint of the Church. The procedure for sainthood involves an in-depth study of the person's life, and at least one miracle attributed to the intercession of the saint.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 10, 2003.


Response to Is Joan of Arc a Saint? Whjat are the qualifications or process?

Yes, St. Joan was canonized in 1920.

You can read more about her here.

Let us know how you did on your assignment.

-- jake (j@k.e), December 10, 2003.


if i may add anyone who dies a martyr (i am sorry if i spelld that wrong) automatically becomes a saint. joan of arc did die one, therefor she automatically became a saint

-- joshua hlopko (yoshi_JT_42@hotmail.com), December 16, 2003.

Joshua, the Catholic Church does not immediately recognize, as a "saint," someone who apparently has died as a martyr. Joan of Arc was not canonized as a "saint" until almost 500 years after her death. A person who is killed is not automatically judged to have been a martyr for the faith.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@Hotmail.com), December 16, 2003.

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