Faith/Spirituality Forum: Definition of Saint
Definition of Saint QUESTION from Sicnarf on May 14, 2002 According to scripture, what does it mean to be a saint?
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, OLSM on May 20, 2002 Dear Sicnarf:
Saint is a term given to Christians generally in Colosians 1:2, but early in Church history the term was usually used in a more restricted sense for those who where eminent for holiness.
In the strictest sense, Saint, which is a Latin term that means holy, sacred, is a term meaning worthy of veneration.
The Church uses the term Saint (with a capital S) to refer to those persons who have distinguished themselves by heroic virtue during their lives and are now in heaven and thus are honored by the Faithful.
All people in heaven are saints.
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