On July 11, 2013, Sholeh Patrick wrote a column in The Press titled A Saint for Almost Everyone. As a Catholic, I would like to clarify a few things. The article suggested a superstitious attitude of Catholics in regard to their much-loved saints and hinted that canonization is a type of reward or title for a candidate's worldly success and contribution to world affairs such as: "social justice," politics, etc... I understand this subject can be confusing to non-Catholics.

We Catholics know that a saint is in actuality anyone who after death proceeds straight to Heaven. This can only happen if they die in the state of grace and have atoned for all the temporal and eternal punishment due to sin. So, if their soul is in this state when they die, they do not need Purgatory and can go right to Heaven. The people who are canonized have had to live exemplary lives of holiness and/or died a martyr's death(dying for God rather than living and denying Him in any way.) Obviously, we really only know of so few compared to the numbers of saints in Heaven, who were hidden in their holiness on earth. Each of us are called to be a saint - each of us are called to know, love and serve God and be happy with Him forever in Heaven. It is not a "hall of fame" for famous Catholics, nor a type of "knighthood" conferred for philanthropic achievements. Philanthropy and charity are very different in their ends. Charity is the object for saints. True charity is God and love of God. So what does this mean for saints and everyday Catholics?

"Any Catholic who sincerely desires it can become a saint. God calls all the faithful to sanctity and gives His grace to each one. The essence of holiness is the carrying out of God's Will each day through the practice of all the virtues especially faith, hope, and charity to an heroic degree. Extraordinary deeds and mystical graces are not necessary" (Modern Saints, by Ann Ball).

The saints are splendid in their differences. Whether doctors, priests, nuns, teachers, mothers or fathers and children - their desire was to love God wholly. He who truly loves God does not sin. For sin and true love of God are incompatible.

Catholics are not supposed to be superstitious about saints. They are not good luck charms nor are their medals. We wear their medals to honor them, our heavenly friends, and in honoring them we honor God. He is glorified in His saints.

So, why canonize them? Canonization does not make a saint. It gives an official declaration that they are in Heaven. It encourages us to imitate them, ask their intercession with God and help the poor souls in Purgatory. We name our children after saints to give our children special friends in Heaven to honor, imitate and ask help of.

To canonize a saint, there are many investigations that go underway. Martyrs do not need the same rigorous trials. Their perfect love of God is no clearer than the laying down of their very life for His sake. For example in recent times, the 22 martyrs of Uganda, all laypeople, are undoubtedly in Heaven.

It is not popularity for worldly actions but spirituality and supernatural motives that matter. Pope John Paul II's "diplomatically guiding the Vatican through the cold war" (to quote Ms. Patrick) is no cause for sainthood. Nor is her other mention of Pope John XXIII's "openness to church change and social justice." There is only one 'social justice:' the reign of Christ the King over people's hearts and souls. Christ said that He was the Way, Truth and Life and that does not mean only for those kneeling in a church. It must permeate all life's dealings for true peace, joy and justice.

Lastly, Ms. Patrick mentions "the candidate must simply have lived an 'extraordinary life' through 'ordinary events.'" Yes, we are simply called to carry our crosses in our daily lives and follow Our Lord as our 'ordinary events.' While self-denial and self-sacrifice are never easy, and is the antithesis of all that the world pushes on us, it is our call. Perhaps we should say, saints are those who loved God wholly and in so doing lived extraordinary virtue and heroic self-denial during their ordinary duties of life.

Thank you Ms. Patrick, for writing a column that opened up this wonderful topic!

Stephanie Murphy is a Post Falls resident.