Venerable facts for kids
"The Venerable" is a special title used in some Christian churches. It is also a common English word for certain titles in Buddhism. This title is given to people who are respected for their holy lives or wisdom.
Contents
Becoming a Venerable in the Catholic Church
In the Catholic Church, "The Venerable" is a title given to a person after they have died. It means they have been officially recognized as living a life of "heroic virtue." This is an important step on the path to possibly becoming a Saint.
Before someone can be called "Venerable," the Pope must approve a declaration. This declaration states that the person lived a life showing great goodness and strong faith. The virtues they showed include:
- Theological Virtues: Faith, hope, and charity (love).
- Cardinal Virtues: Prudence (wisdom), justice (fairness), fortitude (courage), and temperance (self-control).
Steps to Sainthood
Being declared "Venerable" is the first major step in the process of becoming a saint. The next steps are:
- Beatification: At this point, the person is called "The Blessed."
- Canonization: This is the final step, where the person is officially declared a "Saint."
Famous Venerables
Two well-known examples of people declared "Venerable" are Pope John Paul II and Pope Pius XII. Both were given this title by Pope Benedict XVI in December 2009.
The Venerable Bede
Saint Bede was an English monk who lived in the 7th and 8th centuries. He was called "Venerable" soon after he died. Because of this long tradition, he is often known as "the Venerable Bede," even though he was later made a saint. Saint Bede was the first person recorded to be called "The Venerable."
| Stages of Canonization in the Catholic Church |
|---|
| Servant of God → Venerable → Blessed → Saint |
Images for kids
-
Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera.
-
Most Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero.
See also
In Spanish: Venerable para niños
