The Vatican has reportedly "approved" a second miracle that can be attributed to the memory of Pope John Paul II, opening the door for him to become a full saint faster than anyone in recent history. The miracle allegedly has to do with the "extraordinary healing" of a woman in Costa Rica, who recovered from a brain injury after praying to the deceased pope. The Pope needed to reach a quota of two miracles before he could be stamped as a saint. The first time John Paul interceded from beyond the grave, he reportedly cured a French nun who was suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Catholics around the world are now waiting to hear whether the church will approve John Paul’s second miracle. John Paul II could become a saint by as early as October, just eight years after his death. The "modern record" for the shortest time from death to sainthood is 27 years by the founder of Opus Dei. Besides miraculous healings there are other phenomena that can help a Catholic become a saint. One is "Incorruptibility" when a body is found to be free of decay when exhumed from the grave. The Church considers St. Catherine of Siena to be an example. She died in 1380, and 600 years later without any embalming, her flesh allegedly hasn’t decomposed. Another is "Liquefaction" when the dried blood of the saint miraculously liquefies on the feast day. The Church considers the patron saint of Naples to be an example. According to the Church, a vial of his dried blood liquefies every year on September 19. Another phenomena that counts towards sainthood is the "Odor of Sanctity". This is when the body of a saint allegedly exudes a sweet aroma, like roses, rather than the usual pungent stench of decay. The Church believes the grave of St. Teresa of Avila exuded a sweet fragrance for nine months after her death. If only John Paul II had repented and believed the Gospel, he would already be a saint. The word “saint” in the New Testament means “consecrated to God, holy, sacred or pious." It is almost always used in the plural and occurs 67 times. Therefore, according to Scripture, the “saints” are the body of Christ, born-again Christians which make up the true church of Jesus Christ. Christians are saints by virtue of their connection with Jesus Christ. What a contrast this is to saints In the Roman Catholic religion! In Roman Catholic teaching, a person does not become a saint unless he/she is “canonized” by the Pope. In Roman Catholic practice, the saints are revered, prayed to and venerated. In the Bible, saints are called to revere, worship, and pray to God alone. May God open the eyes of Catholics to all this nonsense and draw them to Christ and His Word!
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 22:45:21 +0000
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