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St. Patrick and Sainthood

© Kathryn Morse

We've always heard St. Patrick was the Patron Saint of the Irish. He is also the Patron Saint of the Excluded.

St. Patrick was born in 385 in Roman Britain to wealthy parents. But he was kidnapped during his early teen years and taken to Ireland. Ireland, at that time, was dominated by the druid religion. In Ireland, the young man was sold into slavery and worked as a shepherd for six years before escaping and returning to his home.

His experience as a slave had a profound effect on the young man. Before his slavery, he was not particularly religious. But when he returned home, he began studying for the priesthood. When his studies were complete, he returned to Ireland in March 433. There he did mission work among the people who had enslaved him for six years. Known for his compassion for suffering persons and for his endless zeal, St. Patrick was appointed Bishop of Ireland. He died there on Mar. 17, 461.

How does someone get the title of Saint?

In the first centuries of the church, martyrs were considered Saints for having given the ultimate sacrifice. People prayed to the spirits of these martyrs asking them for assistance in having the same strength and courage. At that time, there were no formal procedures for becoming a Saint. The respect of the community was sufficient.

After the era of Roman persecution ended, Sainthood was expanded from just martyrs to include people outstanding in penitence or austerity, those who excelled in learning and teaching, and those who were leaders in charity and evangelism. Since there were no formal procedures, becoming a Saint was a popularity contest and the use of the title was subject to abuse. Gradually a set of procedures were developed to spare the church the potential embarrassment of false claims.

These early procedures included applying to the bishop with an autobiography of the nominee. Also needed was evidence that at least some of the faithful had received a miracle after they visited the nominee's grave and invoked his/her intercession for that miracle. About the year 1000, people started seeking the Pope's authority rather than just their area bishop in these matters.

Over the years, procedures for canonization of Saints have become more complex. The first step now towards Sainthood is beatification. Beatification means that permission is granted for local honor to be given to a person. Advocates for the nominee collect the basic evidence which is still a biography and evidence of intercession, while a "devil's advocate" researches for evidence that the nominee may not deserve the title Saint.

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