postulator

[ pos-chuh-ley-ter ]

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

1. a priest who presents a plea for a beatification or the canonization of a beatus. Compare devil's advocate ( def 2 ).

postulator

/ ˈpɒstjʊˌleɪtə /

noun

1. RC Church a person, usually a priest, deputed to prepare and present a plea for the beatification or canonization of some deceased person

Word History and Origins

Origin of postulator¹

First recorded in 1860–65, postulator is from the Latin word postulātor claimant. See postulate, -tor

Example Sentences

It took 60 years but a postulator from the Vatican finally came to Richard, a lonesome patch of boggy farmland in southern Louisiana’s rice belt, last December.

From New York Times

Falasca, who was the deputy postulator, or promoter, of the sainthood cause, said he was being beatified not because of what he did as pope but the way he lived his life.

From Reuters

She happened upon this privilege by virtue of her role: She is the vice postulator for John Paul I’s sainthood.

From Washington Post

John Paul I was elected in August 1978 to succeed Paul VI, but he died a month later of what the postulators believe to be a heart attack at the age of 65.

From New York Times

A “postulator,” or lawyer, “arguing” for the cause then brings it to a body called the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

From Washington Post