The word "canonizations" is spelled with a "z" instead of an "s" because of its pronunciation. The letter "z" represents the sound /z/ which is needed for this word’s ending. The transcribed IPA phonetic spelling for "canonizations" is /ˌkænənaɪˈzeɪʃənz/, representing the syllable stress on the fourth-to-last syllable and the vowels "a" and "i" creating the long "i" sound in the second and fifth syllables, respectively. This word refers to the act of officially declaring a person to be a saint in the Catholic Church.
Canonization refers to the formal process within the Roman Catholic Church of declaring a deceased individual as a saint. It is the act by which the Church officially recognizes the sanctity of a person's life and elevates them to the rank of saints to be venerated and imitated.
The canonization process typically begins with a period of waiting known as the "waiting period" or "quarentena", during which the local Church collects information about the potential candidate's life, writings, and miracles they may have performed. Once belief in the person's sanctity is firmly established, the process moves forward with the declaration of venerability, followed by beatification and finally canonization.
During the canonization ceremony, the Pope declares the deceased individual as a saint and affirms their presence in heaven as intercessors with God. Canonizations are often accompanied by great public celebrations and religious rituals, including the unveiling of a saint's relics and the proclamation of a feast day in their honor.
The act of canonization holds immense significance within the Catholic faith as it affirms the person's exemplary life and affords them an officially recognized status as a role model and intercessor. The purpose of canonization is to provide believers with saints who they can look up to, seek guidance from, and ask for prayers. Saints are also considered as powerful spiritual allies, believed to have influence with God and the ability to perform miracles.
The word "canonizations" is derived from the noun "canonization", which in turn originates from the verb "canonize". "Canonize" comes from the Latin term "canonizare", which means "to enter into the canon" or "to declare someone as a saint". The Latin word "canon" refers to a rule, law, or standard. In the context of canonizations, it specifically refers to the rule or the process by which a person is declared a saint by the Catholic Church.