The most direct path to sainthood

by Mary Ann McGivern

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A number of years ago, Loretto Sr. Ann Patrick Ware wrote a brief essay about canonization in response to a question from colleagues at the National Council of Churches. The question was: What can Catholics do to make it more likely that upon their death they will be declared saints?

Ann Pat reviewed (without the aid of computers) the frequency of various occupations and status choices within the calendar of saints.

Her conclusions: Your best bet for sainthood is to be a bishop. Kings do well. Popes and farmers, less so.

And if you are a woman? Become a virgin and martyr.

It makes me think that the current hierarchy is bent on making us nuns into saints.

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