Help:Saint articles

This page explains the format of articles about saints in the Category:Saints category and serves as a guide for editors to create and improve these articles on Saintapedia, a wiki dedicated to sharing knowledge about saints. It’s designed for people new to wikis, MediaWiki, or our system for saint articles. You’ll learn how to create a saint article using a prompt, understand the standard article structure, and—most importantly—how to enhance articles beyond their initial drafts to make them more accurate, detailed, and engaging.

Saintapedia is a community-driven project where every editor can contribute by adding what they know, fixing errors, or improving content. No one owns any article, and every edit helps make Saintapedia a better resource. We encourage human editors to refine articles using the AI scale (`ReviewLevel`) to track improvements, and we provide tools like the VisualEditor to make editing easier.

Overview of saint articles

A saint article is a wiki page about a person recognized by the Catholic Church (or other Christian groups) as a saint, blessed, venerable, or servant of God. These articles follow a consistent format to make them easy to read and navigate, covering details like the saint’s life, miracles, and patronage. All saint articles are grouped in the Category:Saints, allowing users to browse them easily through searching or following links from related articles.

Saint articles are created and improved using three main tools:

• A template ({{Saints}}) that organizes key facts in an infobox and stores them in a database called Cargo.
• A form that simplifies entering information without needing to write code.
• A prompt that generates the initial draft of the article, often using AI, to provide a starting point.

Articles are initially created with the prompt, which provides a basic draft. However, we strongly encourage human editors to expand and verify these drafts, improving their quality and updating the `ReviewLevel` (from 0=AI-Generated to 5=Fully Human-Validated) to reflect their work. Every edit is tied to an individual editor and preserved in the article’s history, ensuring transparency and accountability. This guide will show you how to create an article and take it to the next level.

How to create a saint article

New saint articles are created using the Saints form and a prompt to generate the initial content. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Saints form: Visit Form:Saints and enter the name of the saint (e.g., “Saint Patrick”) in the input box. If the page doesn’t exist, the form will let you create it; if it does, you can edit it.

2. Fill in the form fields: The form has fields for key details, like “Saint Name,” “Feast Day,” and “Patronage.” Use the prompt (found at Saints Prompt) as a guide to enter accurate information. The prompt specifies:

  * Use formats like YYYY-MM-DD for dates (e.g., 1912-01-24 for birthdate).
  * Enter GPS coordinates for locations (e.g., 40.748817, -73.985428, not {{coord}}).
  * Provide details like miracles, patronage, and notable locations where the saint lived or worked.
  * Set `ReviewLevel=0` (AI-Generated) if the article is based on the prompt without human review.

3. Add text using the prompt: In the “Free text” area of the form, follow the prompt’s structure to write the article’s sections (e.g., Lead, Biography, Miracles). The prompt ensures the initial draft has:

  * A 2–3 paragraph lead summarizing the saint’s life.
  * Sections like Biography, Canonization, and Miracles, each with 2–3 paragraphs or bullet points.
  * A map of parishes named after the saint in the Parishes section, using {{Saint parish map}}.
  * Internal links to pages like Diocese or Religious order in the text (not the infobox).
  * Citations in Wikipedia style (see Wikipedia:Citing sources).

4. Save the page: Submit the form to create the article. Use the VisualEditor for a “What You See Is What You Get” experience, or switch to “Edit source” for precise wikitext editing. Write a short edit summary (e.g., “Created Saint Patrick article”), preview your changes with “Show preview,” and click “Save page.” The form will generate a page with the {{Saints}} template filled out, the text from the prompt, and the page added to Category:Saints and Category:AI-Generated (if `ReviewLevel=0`). Your edit will be logged in the article’s history and your user contributions.

This creates a basic article, but it’s just a starting point. The next section explains how to improve it.

Improving saint articles

Saintapedia is only as good as its editors make it, and every contribution counts. Initial drafts created with the prompt are often AI-generated (`ReviewLevel=0`) and may lack depth, context, or verified sources. Human editors are essential to enhance these articles, and every edit—whether fixing grammar, adding a link, or expanding a section—helps improve the wiki. Here’s how you can contribute:

1. Verify facts: Check the infobox and text against reliable sources, like books, Catholic websites (e.g., CatholicSaints.info), or church records. Correct errors in dates, locations, or miracles. For example, verify that Saint Patrick’s feast day is March 17. 2. Expand sections: Add detail to sections like Biography or Miracles. For example:

  * In “Early Life,” include specific stories about the saint’s childhood or education.
  * In “Veneration,” describe local traditions or artworks depicting the saint.

3. Add sources: Include citations for all facts, using ``). Add these to the References section with {{Reflist}}. Use American English spelling (e.g., “honor” not “honour”), as Saintapedia follows American English. 4. Improve the map: Ensure the {{Saint parish map}} in the Parishes section accurately shows parishes named after the saint. If the map is incomplete, research additional parishes and add them (if your wiki supports this). 5. Enhance readability: Rewrite AI-generated text to make it engaging, clear, or concise. Use the VisualEditor for easy editing or the Enhanced editor for precise wikitext changes. Add images (if allowed) or links to related Saintapedia pages, like Administrative subdivision or Diocese. 6. Use accountability features: Track changes using your Watchlist, which emails you when pages you’ve edited are updated. Review the article’s history to see past edits or undo mistakes. Every edit is tied to your account, ensuring transparency. 7. Update ReviewLevel: After editing, update the `ReviewLevel` in the {{Saints}} template to reflect your work:

  * 0 = AI-Generated (no human review).
  * 1 = Minimal Human Review (basic fact-checking).
  * 2 = Moderate Human Review (some sections expanded).
  * 3 = Substantial Human Review (major additions or rewrites).
  * 4 = Extensive Human Review (thoroughly revised).
  * 5 = Fully Human-Validated (completely verified and polished).
  This “AI scale” tracks progress and encourages editors to improve articles.

8. Save and categorize: Write an edit summary (e.g., “Added biography details and sources”), preview changes, and save. The template will update the review category (e.g., Category:Human-Reviewed-Level3 for `ReviewLevel=3`). Add your favorite articles to your user page for quick access.

By editing articles, you help make them more reliable and useful, moving them up the AI scale toward `ReviewLevel=5`. No edit is too small—whether fixing a typo or rewriting a section, you’re improving Saintapedia!

The structure of a saint article

Every saint article follows a standard format to ensure consistency. Below is the structure, with tips for improving each section:

Lead section

A 2–3 paragraph summary at the top, before any headings, outlining the saint’s life (e.g., Saint Patrick’s role in converting Ireland). It includes links to related pages like Diocese or Religious order but not the infobox.

• Improvement tip: Add specific anecdotes or historical context to make the lead engaging. Verify details with sources, e.g., confirming Saint Patrick’s missionary work.

Infobox

A box on the right showing key facts (e.g., birthdate, feast day) using the {{Saints}} template. See below for details.

• Improvement tip: Double-check dates, coordinates, and patronage. Add missing details like `PrimaryShrine` or `SaintMiracle3`.

Biography

Subsections with 2–3 paragraphs each:

• Birth: Where and when the saint was born, including family details.
• Early Life: Childhood, education, or early experiences.
• Occupation: Their job, like teacher or soldier, before or alongside religious work.
• Vocation: Their religious calling, like becoming a priest or nun.
• Death: How, when, and where they died (e.g., martyrdom).
• Improvement tip: Add primary sources or quotes from the saint’s writings. Flesh out sparse sections with historical details, e.g., Saint Patrick’s enslavement.

Significant events

A bullet-point list of major achievements (e.g., founding a religious order).

• Improvement tip: Include lesser-known events or cross-reference other Saintapedia pages.

Parishes

A map of parishes named after the saint, using {{Saint parish map}}.

• Improvement tip: Verify the map’s accuracy. Research additional parishes to add (if supported).

Canonization

The process of becoming a saint, with subsections:

• Servant of God: When the Church began investigating their life.
• Venerable: When declared to have heroic virtue.
• Beatification: When named Blessed after a miracle.
• Canonization: When declared a saint after a second miracle.
• Improvement tip: Add specific dates, Popes, or ceremony details from Vatican sources.

Miracles

Miracles for beatification, canonization, and others, in 2–3 paragraphs or bullet points.

• Improvement tip: Describe miracles in detail, citing church records or biographies.

Patronage

What the saint is a patron of (e.g., professions, places).

• Improvement tip: List additional patronages from reliable sources, like local traditions, e.g., Saint Patrick as patron of Ireland.

Feast day

The day(s) the saint is celebrated, like “March 17” for Saint Patrick.

• Improvement tip: Confirm the date with liturgical calendars and note variations (e.g., local feasts).

Veneration

How the saint is honored (e.g., prayers, pilgrimages) and their depiction in art or media.

• Improvement tip: Add details about relics, festivals, or modern portrayals (e.g., films).

Books

Books about or by the saint, with links to sources like Amazon.

• Improvement tip: Include recent or obscure works, ensuring links are valid.

External links

Trustworthy websites (e.g., CatholicSaints.info) about the saint.

• Improvement tip: Add high-quality sources and remove outdated links.

References

Citations for all facts, using {{Reflist}}.

• Improvement tip: Ensure every fact has a citation. Use books or academic sources for credibility.

This structure keeps articles consistent, but human edits make them shine.

The Saints template

The {{Saints}} template organizes key facts into an infobox and stores them in the Cargo database for searching (e.g., finding all saints from Ireland). It adds the page to Category:Saints and a review category based on `ReviewLevel`.

Key parameters include:

• SaintName: Full title (e.g., “Saint Francis of Assisi”).
• SaintStage: Status (e.g., Saint, Blessed).
• FeastDay: Celebration day (e.g., “October 04”).
• SaintBirthDate, SaintBirthPlace, SaintBirthCoordinates: Birth details.
• SaintDeathDate, DeathPlace, SaintDeathCoordinates, SaintCauseOfDeath: Death details.
• NotableAddress1–5, NotableLabel1–5, NotableCoordinates1–5: Significant places the saint lived/worked.
• BeatificationDate, Beatifier, BeatificationLocation: Beatification details.
• Canonized, CanonizationDate, Canonizer, CanonizationLocation: Canonization details.
• SaintMiracle1–3: Miracles attributed to the saint.
• Profession: Job (e.g., doctor).
• ReligiousAffiliation: Group (e.g., Franciscans).
• Patronage: What they’re patron of.
• Attributes: Symbols (e.g., Saint Peter’s keys).
• PrimaryShrine: Where relics are kept.
• AdditionalVeneration: Other groups honoring them.
• AssociatedCountries, AssociatedDioceses: Related places.
• ReviewLevel: AI scale (0=AI-Generated, 1=Minimal Human Review, 2=Moderate, 3=Substantial, 4=Extensive, 5=Fully Human-Validated).
• Improvement tip: Verify all parameters, especially coordinates and miracles. Update `ReviewLevel` after editing.

The Saints form

The Saints form, part of the Page Forms extension, lets you create or edit articles without coding. You enter data into fields (e.g., “Saint Name”) tied to the {{Saints}} template and add text in the “Free text” area. For new articles, use the prompt to guide your input. For existing articles, edit fields and text to improve them, then update `ReviewLevel`. Use the VisualEditor for easy editing or “Edit source” for wikitext precision.

• Improvement tip: Correct errors or add missing fields in the form. Rewrite AI-generated “Free text” for clarity and depth.

Why improve saint articles?

Saintapedia is a collaborative effort, and its accuracy and usability depend on active editor participation. Initial drafts from the prompt are a starting point but may lack depth or accuracy. Human editors bring articles to life by:

• Adding unique stories or historical context.
• Verifying facts with primary sources.
• Enhancing the map of parishes named after the saint.
• Making the text engaging and polished.

The AI scale (`ReviewLevel`) tracks your contributions, showing readers how reliable the article is. A `ReviewLevel=5` article is a fully validated, high-quality resource. Every edit, from fixing a typo to adding a new section, helps make Saintapedia a valuable resource for everyone.

Get started

• To create an article, visit the Saints form, enter the saint’s name, and follow the prompt at Prompts.
• To improve an article, edit an existing page using the VisualEditor or “Edit source,” verify facts, add details, and update `ReviewLevel`. Check your Watchlist for updates to pages you’ve edited.
• Browse Category:Saints for articles needing review (e.g., Category:AI-Generated).

Your contributions make a difference! Be bold, add what you know, and help make Saintapedia the best it can be!

Naming convention

Main article: Saintapedia naming convention

• Spell out Saint for articles about saints
• Abbreviate St. for organizations

See also

• Category:Saints – Browse all saint articles
• Help:Templates – Learn about templates
• Help:Page Forms – Understanding forms
• Saintapedia:Accountability features – Learn about tracking edits
• Help:Editing Saintapedia – Guide to editing tools

External links

• MediaWiki: Templates – Guide to templates.
• MediaWiki: Page Forms – Guide to forms.
• MediaWiki: Cargo – Guide to the Cargo database.
• CatholicSaints.info – Reliable source for saint information.