Mother Teresa Heads for Sainthood
By Michael K. Jones

According to reports on CNN, the world renown and loved Mother Teresa is on her way to Sainthood., The five-year waiting period was waived by Pope John Paul II, which allowed an investigation to begin. On May 22, the archbishop of Calcutta Rev. Henry D'Souza, announced that the finding of inquiry will soon be completed.

Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, she was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Yugoslavia, she joined the Sisters of Loreto in 1928. She founded an order of nuns called the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India dedicated to serving the poor. This giving her the name "Saint of the Gutters." The Missionaries of Charity have grown from 12 sisters in India to thousands throughout countries worldwide.

Mother Teresa suffered from heart problems during her last 20 yeas of life. In 1989 she suffered another, and more serious, heart attack, where a pacemaker was installed. The year after this, she suffered from malaria and was treated for a chest infection. Despite her sufferings, Mother remained undaunted in her unwavering care to the sick, suffering and dying. She died on September 5, 1997.

The journey to sainthood is a long one and it is not unusual to see it take 50 years.

STEP 1: "Death after virtuous life" Unfortunately one has to die first in order to become a saint. Living people haven't been canonized so far. But... nothing is impossible to change after all (given you are living virtuous enough a life).

STEP 2: "Informal Phase" At the very least five years must pass before a local group can start promoting devotion to you.

STEP 3: "Investigative Phase" The local bishop appoints officials to collect writings. The officials hold tribunals in which witnesses for and against your give testimony are given. The Vatican checks its archives for anything that would prevent proceedings.

STEP 4:"Evaluation and Judgment Phase" Local bishops send testimony and other material to the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Sainthood. A regulator who oversees the writing of a biography is appointed. Eight theologians and the promoter of the faith judge the cause. If it's approved, cardinals and bishops of the congregation vote. If the Pope approves, you're declared "Venerable".

STEP 5: "The Miracle Process" You must have 3 miracle credited to your intercession. Only miracles that occur after your death will count. The evidence is judged by medical experts and then judged by a panel of theologians.

STEP 6: "Beatification" Once the miracle process is approved by the cardinals and Pope, the Pope beatifies you.

STEP 7: "Canonization" Before you can be canonized, one more miracle is needed. That miracle must occur after the beatification. The Pope canonizes you, that is you finally become a saint.

As the archbishop of Calcutta Rev. Henry D'Souza, announced that the finding of inquiry will soon be completed, sainthood may come sooner than the usual 50 year process.