Blessed or Saint; What’s the Difference

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

The media was filled with stories surrounding the beatification of John Paul II this past weekend as Pope Benedict announced to the world that his predecessor was now listed among those we name blessed. Most of those stories contained a reference to the fact that now Blessed John Paul was "one step away from sainthood," and that all he needed now was another miracle. I suspect that many Catholics are thinking along the same lines. Yet the Church would not declare that the beloved pope was "Blessed" unless there was every reason to believe that he was now living with God in heaven. When you stop to think about this, isn't that the definition of a saint? As I have said many times before, the only difference between a saint and a sinner is that the saint has died while the sinner is still living on this earth. So while it is technically correct to say that John Paul II is "one step away," he is really already considered a saint.

Exactly what is the difference between a "Saint" and a "Blessed"? Actually it is a liturgical classification. The saints are those who are venerated and celebrated throughout the universal church. Each saint is given a liturgical feast day in the calendar which we call the martyrology. On that particular date, the universal church can celebrate the Eucharist and pray the Liturgy of the Hours while remembering the name of this particular man or woman in the prayers. Thus on May 3 we remembered Saints Philip and James. However, there are many other saints who are remembered on that date.

The "Blesseds" are also given a day on which they can be remembered. However, in most cases, only those who are particularly associated with that person can celebrate the Eucharist while remembering that person. For instance, tomorrow Canadians will remember Blessed Francois de Montmorency Laval, Bishop. His name does not, however, appear on the liturgical calendar for any other area of the world. Another example would be that of Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Irish Christian Brothers. He will be remembered today, May 5, at all the liturgies celebrated in the Archdiocese of New York where the Irish Christian Brothers have been instrumental in the Catholic education of many young people, but not in the other diocesan sees of the United States. On Tuesday, May 4, Franciscans were permitted to celebrate the Eucharist while remembering Blesseds Thomas, Henry, Arthur, John and Charles, all of them Franciscan friars who were martyred during the Tudor persecutions of Catholics. So you can see that geographical, ethnic, and religious associations govern where and when the men and women who have been beatified can be celebrated. If at some time in the future they are canonized, they will be placed on what we call the universal calendar. Until that time, they are only celebrated by a particular community with which they are associated.

Because Blessed John Paul II was the head of the universal church and served as the Vicar of Christ, his association is with the entire Church. Consequently, he will be remembered by the universal church on his feast day. There are just a few of the beatified who populate the universal calendar. Blessed John XXIII is another such example.

In reading some of the letters of our membership, it almost seems like we are holding our breath until the day when Blessed John Paul II will be a saint. I think we all know deep in our hearts that he already is a saint, one who lives with God in heaven for eternity. He has answered the universal call to holiness. We strive to do the same.