The Road To Canonisation

Updated on: 7 February 2024 7:14 pm

The local bishop in whose diocese the person resides provides proof of heroic virtue and reputation for sanctity at the local level. A postulator, appointed by the bishop, is appointed for compiling all the documents of the case. Details of the person's life, witness accounts by acquaintances and all writings and communications by the person are presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome.

Once Rome accepts and approves the documents recommended for sainthood, the person is considered 'venerable' and private devotion is allowed. Usually, the person's cause continues toward beatification.

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints intensely scrutinises the life, virtues, reputation for holiness, ministry and writings of the person. One miracle is required to be named 'blessed'. This is usually a physical healing that can be definitively and scientifically proven. When an authentic miracle is 'proved', and after approval by the Sacred Congregation, the matter is presented to the Pope. If the Pope judges the person's holiness as exemplary, the person is declared 'blessed'. This is beatification.

After beatification, investigations continue, although causes may be delayed for long periods of time. (Presently there are many cases 'in deferral', the time between the introduction of the cause and actual canonisation.) To advance the person's cause to sainthood, a second miracle is usually required at this point. The canonisation of a Saint is infallibly pronounced by the Pope in a formal declaration called an 'apostolic bull.'

The Pope declares that the person is in heaven, is worthy of public veneration and is included in the liturgical calendar of the universal Church. He allows for public honour and veneration of the Saint, permits churches to bear the Saint's name, allows for a liturgical feast to be placed on the universal calendar of the Church, permits images of the Saint to be publicly displayed and allows the Saint's relics to be publicly honoured.