Holiness Beyond the Halo
When people hear the word saint, they often picture marble statues, stained-glass halos, and stories of people so holy they seem unreachable. But the truth about sainthood is far richer—and closer to home. In both Scripture and Church tradition, being a saint isn’t about perfection or public recognition. It’s about transformation. It’s about belonging to God.
Sainthood, at its core, is not an exclusive title reserved for the canonized few—it’s an invitation extended to every believer. To understand that, we must look beyond the surface of veneration and step into the deeper meaning of holiness that runs through the Bible, theology, and everyday faith.
Historical and Religious Context
Across religious traditions, sainthood represents something sacred—a life aligned with divine purpose. In the Roman Catholic Church, sainthood takes on a specific meaning, formalized through the canonization process. This multi-step discernment begins with local investigation, continues with the title "Servant of God," and eventually requires evidence of heroic virtue and at least two verified miracles attributed to the person’s intercession.
But sainthood didn’t start as a formal checklist; it began as a recognition of holiness in community life. In early Christianity, believers who lived lives of profound faith, even unto martyrdom, were called saints by those who witnessed their devotion. Over time, the Church structured the process to ensure discernment and authenticity, but the spiritual heart of sainthood—being wholly dedicated to God—remains constant.
Biblical Meaning of "Saint"
Before saints were canonized, they were simply called. In the Bible, the term "saint" (Greek: hagios) literally means "holy one." It appears throughout the Old and New Testaments, describing those who are set apart for God’s purposes.
In the Old Testament, holiness was largely ritual—being separated from impurity to serve God. In the New Testament, that concept deepens. The saints are no longer just a chosen group by lineage but those transformed by faith in Jesus Christ. Holiness moves from external observance to internal renewal.
So, when Scripture says, "To all the saints in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:1), it isn’t talking about a distant elite—it’s talking about ordinary believers made holy through Christ’s sanctifying work.
USCCBSaints in the Writings of the Apostle Paul
If there’s anyone who helps us grasp the biblical view of sainthood, it’s the Apostle Paul. In nearly every letter, he greets the saints—not as flawless people, but as communities in progress. He calls the Corinthians "saints," even while correcting their divisions and moral failings. This is revolutionary.
Paul doesn’t use "saint" to describe what believers have achieved but who they are because of God’s grace. Their identity as saints is grounded in their relationship with Christ, not their moral record. It’s as if Paul is saying: you’re already holy—now live like it.
That’s the heart of biblical sainthood: grace first, transformation second. Holiness is both a position before God and a process in daily life.
Old Testament Foundations of Sainthood
Sainthood may seem like a New Testament idea, but its roots stretch back to the covenant people of Israel. In Exodus 19:5–6, God tells the Israelites, "You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Similarly, Leviticus repeatedly calls God’s people to be holy, reflecting His character.
This “being set apart” (sanctification) wasn’t about pride—it was about purpose. Israel was to reveal God’s holiness to the nations. That same calling carries into the New Testament Church. Peter echoes it directly: "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9).
So, sainthood is continuity—it connects the holiness of ancient Israel with the spiritual identity of the Church today. In both covenants, being holy isn’t optional; it’s the essence of belonging to God.
Theological Perspective on Sainthood
From a theological lens, sainthood operates on two levels: positional and experiential.
- Positional sainthood means that through faith in Christ, believers are already counted holy before God. It’s not earned by good deeds but granted through the righteousness of Jesus. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:4, "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him."
- Experiential sainthood, on the other hand, is how that holiness takes shape in our daily lives. It’s the ongoing work of sanctification—cooperating with God’s Spirit to reflect moral purity, compassion, and love in a world that desperately needs it.
This dual nature of sainthood—grace and growth—reminds us that holiness isn’t static. It’s a relationship unfolding. We are both declared saints and becoming saints.
Implications for Modern Believers
So what does all this mean for us today? It means that sainthood is not a museum relic; it’s a living identity. To call oneself a saint isn’t arrogance—it's acknowledgment of what God has done.
Modern sainthood looks like integrity at work, kindness in conflict, forgiveness in failure. It’s in the quiet acts of faith that ripple outward—raising children with patience, serving the marginalized, speaking truth gently.
The call to holiness isn’t about retreating from the world but transforming it. Each believer carries the same commission as the saints of old: to live visibly as God’s "holy ones" in a culture that often forgets what holiness looks like.
