Pope Francis to proclaim favorite Blessed, Pierre Faber as a saint

Pierre Faber will soon be recognized as a saint by Pope Francis, likely before Christmas. Faber was a 16th century Jesuit priest who Pope Francis sees as a role model for himself.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Jesuit priest, Pierre Faber is due to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church, according to the Italian catholic newspaper, "Avvenire." The 16th century priest (1506-1547) was a companion of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Faber was beatified in 1872, and has long been a favorite Blessed of the Jesuits. Now, with a Jesuit Pope at the head of the Church, he may soon be recognized as a saint.

Faber died in 1547, just before he was to participate in the Council of Trent, an important countermove to the Protestant Reformation.

The recognition of Faber as a saint is just that, however. The Catholic Church does not actually make saints, rather God does. Anyone who makes it into heaven is a saint. Recognizing  someone as a saint requires proof such as scientifically documented miracles and other evidence, as well as a life well-lived.  When the Church considers a person for sainthood, it is because such miracles, inexplicable by all science, have occurred in the person's name.

This is considered a sign that a deceased person is in communion with God and has the power of intercession.

Pope Francis favors Faber because of his "dialogue with all, even the most remote and even with his opponents; his simple piety, a certain naïveté perhaps, his being available straightaway, his careful interior discernment, the fact that he was a man capable of great and strong decisions but also capable of being so gentle and loving."

Faber was also noted for his empathy and charity, qualities which Pope Francis has worked to emulate.

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints for Faber is complete and all that now remains is a signature from the Pope.

A birth foretold: click here to learn more!

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