2 April '08

Sainthood Sourcebook version 1.1

The most interesting thing about the 2,000 page report on Pope John Paul II submitted to the Vatican's Congregation for the "Causes of Saints" (great name) is the saint-making process. One miracle is required for beatification, and a second is required for canonization, which presents the question: Isn't one miracle enough?

The two-miracle quota speaks to both the rigorous standards of the Vatican and the arbitrary nature of the canonization process. Were I not in the middle of research for my next book, I'd scour my old Medieval history texts for an answer as to who came up with this two-miracle requirement.

Having just realized how lazy I would be for not doing such scholarly legwork, I've found the ranking system (credit to R.H.C. Davis' History of Medieval Europe) for good dead people within the Catholic Church who are making the ascension from good dead person to saint. Maybe it's because I'm still thinking about the late great Gary Gygax, but this system carries such a strong Dungeons & Dragons vibe that I'm presenting it as such. To wit:

Level One: Servant of God
Requirements:  None specified, though accepting the Nicene Creed is most likely a necessity
Powers Granted: Heal minor wounds (as level 1 Cleric), Bigby's Forceful Hand

Level Two: Venerable (i.e. Bede the Venerable, et al.)
Requirements: Heroic virtue
Powers Granted: All Level One powers in addition to Turn Undead (thrice per day), Intercession, and a Prayer Card issued in character's name. NPC's may roll for miracle in Venerable character's name (+2 to roll if NPC is of same alignment).

Level Three: Blessed (i.e. John Dun Scotus) 
Requirements: Martyrdom and/or one miracle. If character was not martyred, character must present evidence of miracle. If character was martyred, proceed directly to level four.
Powers Granted: All Level One and Two powers. Character is given a Feast Day which may be used in Character's home diocese. Roll 1d6 for three additional powers below:

Bless (by touch)
Detect Evil/Good (15' radius)
Remove Fear (by touch)
Infravision
Suggestion (twice per day)
Minor Globe of Invulnerability (once per day)

Level Four: Saint
Requirements: One or more miracles.
Powers Granted: All Level powers, in addition to Divine Supernatural Gifts, eternal life, personal friendship with God in heaven. Character's Feast Day is universal and must be followed by those who have chosen this character as their patron Saint. In addition, character has 4 major benign powers and 2 minor malevolent side effects.

Table 1: Major Benign Power

Remove Curse (by touch, 7 times per week)
Wall of Thorns (once per day, as level 8 Druid)
Speak with Dead (unlimited, as level 10 Cleric)
Storm of Vengeance (once per day, as level 12 Cleric; storm rains acid, lighting, and hail inflicting 2d20 damage +10 if in Saint's home diocese)

Table 1.1: Minor Malevolent Side Effects

Possessor loses interest in sex
Possessor's hair turns white

Fact is, if the Catholic Church adopted these standards and powers, I would seriously consider dumping my Judaism. I'd trade a Seder for Bigby's Forceful Hand any day.