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Question
If a saint is someone who has lived a holy and good life and needs to go through the process of canonization in order to be so proclaimed, how does an angel become a saint?
The present process of canonization was not always in force. In previous times a person could be proclaimed a saint through public acclamation and the growth of a cultus [widespread devotion} around them. Thus it was with an angel like Saint Michael, people prayed for him, their prayers were answered and he would have been recognized as a saint. Additionally an angel, a good angel is by definition a saint, since they are in heaven.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | The response was informative as far as it went. It did give some insight into the syncretization process that appears to be at work in folk canonization. Thank you for taking the time to respond. You helped by identifying a couple of areas for further research. | ||
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Catholics
Answers by Expert:
Padraig Caughey
Expertise
Catholic Mysticism, Prayer spirituality the saints apparitions miraclesparanormal
Experience
I was a Cistercian monk for a few years and have read very widely on mystical theology
Publications
http://www.lulu.com/content/548851
http://padraigcaughey.forumup.co.uk/index.php?mforum=padraigcaughey&sid=f65e3bc384e6f878e589e64141f9d412
Education/Credentials
Ba Psychology Counselling diplomas two book published on prayer
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