Canonization Process Paper

The complex process of becoming a canonized Roman Catholic saint relies on the candidate’s holiness. For a person to be canonized, they must live as a spiritual leader with a holy lifestyle and be responsible for several miracles after death (Saunders). Before canonization, an individual must go through six intricate steps in the process.

The modern process of canonization first developed from members of the Roman Catholic Church in 1089. A local bishop unknowingly set the precedent for the Church’s modern canonization process when researching Nicolas of Trani (now a saint). After the process evolved and wove into standard church procedure, Pope Gregory IX declared the canonization process into Roman Catholic Church official law. As of 2015,

If accepted, the candidate is considered a “Servant of God” (“Become a Saint”). Next, the Vatican organization begins their own investigation of the candidate (“5 Step Process”).

The Vatican’s investigation is similar to the local bishop’s; they interrogate persons involved with the candidate and the candidate’s lifestyle. After the Vatican’s independent investigation, the Congregation evaluates if the candidate is “venerable,” which means that the individual “lived a life of heroic virtue” (“How Does Someone” & “Become a Saint”). Through their investigation of the individual’s life, they determine if the person did live a life of heroic virtue. Depending on the Congregation of Cause’s decision, the candidate may or may not be eligible for the next steps of

A panel of professionals identical to the beautification process, but consisting of different individuals, must determine a second miracle occurred after the candidate’s death (“Five Step Process”). If they determine a second miracle did occur, the pope determines the final decision on an official canonization (“Become a Saint”). To finish, if the pope accepts the second miracle, he declares the individual a canonized saint (“Become a Saint”).

Though the Roman Catholic Church usually requires all these steps before official canonization, some exceptions may apply. If a person is a martyr and died for his or her faith, only one miracle is required after death for canonization. This step was also waived in the case of Pope John XXII, who was not a martyr. The five-year-rule may also be waived at the discretion of the pope, as with Saint John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (BBC). However, though there are a few concessions, most saints go through all six steps.

(Pictured: Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who has gone through the first five steps of canonization and is expected to be canonized next year. Image courtesy of Shawn