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canonize

verb

/ˈkæn əˌnaɪz/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of canonize

To officially declare an individual as a saint within the Catholic Church.
"The Pope announced the decision to canonize Mother Teresa for her selfless service to humanity."

Detailed meaning of canonize

When someone is canonized, they are recognized as having lived a holy and exemplary life, and are believed to be in heaven, capable of interceding on behalf of the faithful. Canonization is a rigorous process that involves careful investigation, examination of the person's life, miracles attributed to their intercession, and approval by the Church hierarchy. It is an acknowledgment of the person's exceptional devotion, virtue, and impact on the spiritual lives of others. The act of canonization not only recognizes the individual's sanctity but also serves as an example and inspiration for believers. Canonized saints are venerated, and their feast days are celebrated in the liturgical calendar, inviting the faithful to seek their intercession and emulate their virtuous lives.

Example sentences containing canonize

1. The committee decided to canonize the influential author for his contributions to literature.
2. They plan to canonize the local philanthropist for her selfless acts of charity.
3. The church aims to canonize the nun for her lifelong dedication to serving the poor.
4. Historians often debate whether to canonize certain historical figures as heroes or villains.
5. The council will discuss whether to canonize the scientist for her groundbreaking discoveries.
6. The committee is considering whether to canonize the musician for revolutionizing the genre.

History and etymology of canonize

The verb 'canonize' has its origins in ecclesiastical Latin and the practices of the Catholic Church. It can be traced back to the Latin word 'canonizare,' which means 'to canonize' or 'to decree as a rule.' In the context of the Catholic Church, 'canonization' refers to the official process of recognizing and declaring an individual as a saint. This process involves the careful examination of a person's life, virtues, and potential miracles attributed to them. If the criteria are met, the individual is 'canonized,' and they are officially recognized as a saint, becoming a part of the church's canon, or list, of recognized saints. The etymology of 'canonize' thus underscores its historical connection to the formalization and recognition of saints within the Catholic Church, emphasizing the establishment of a sacred rule or standard for such declarations.

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Further usage examples of canonize

1. The community rallied together to petition the church to canonize the local priest.
2. The pope announced his decision to canonize Mother Teresa for her humanitarian work.
3. The committee is carefully reviewing the evidence before making a decision to canonize the healer.
4. The process to canonize a person requires extensive research and investigation.
5. The congregation is eagerly awaiting the announcement to canonize the beloved pastor.
6. The scholars debated whether to canonize the philosopher for his profound ideas.
7. The society plans to propose a motion to canonize the inventor for his groundbreaking invention.
8. The king's subjects urged him to canonize his late queen for her benevolence.
9. The organization will conduct interviews with witnesses to support the case to canonize the artist.
10. The religious council is in the process of gathering testimonies to canonize the visionary mystic.
11. The Pope canonized Mother Teresa for her selfless humanitarian work.
12. The process to canonize a saint involves rigorous scrutiny of their life.
13. The Church canonized St. Francis of Assisi for his devotion to the poor.
14. Pope John Paul II canonized more saints than any previous Pope.
15. The canonization ceremony is a solemn and sacred event.
16. The Church often canonizes individuals who perform miracles.
17. The faithful gather to celebrate when the Church canonizes a new saint.
18. To canonize someone, the Church examines their virtuous life.
19. The Pope's decision to canonize a saint is highly significant.
20. The Vatican announced its intention to canonize a local nun.
21. The process to canonize a saint can take many years.
22. The Catholic Church canonized Joan of Arc as a saint in 1920.
23. Saints canonized by the Church serve as inspirational role models.
24. Pope Francis decided to canonize a 19th-century bishop known for his charity.