Servant of God

The canonization process begins at the diocesan level when a bishop – usually the bishop of the place where the candidate died or is buried – gives permission to open an investigation into the candidate’s virtues, in response to a petition from members of the faithful. A postulator is appointed to assist in the promotion of the cause, and a tribunal is assembled to gather evidence both for and against the canonization. Once the cause is opened, the candidate is officially referred to as a “Servant of God.” If the diocesan investigation determines that the cause should advance, a formal argument for sainthood – a positio – is assembled and sent to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome.

Venerable Servant of God

The positio is examined and voted on first by a committee of expert historians and theologians, and then by the cardinal and bishops of the dicastery. If the evidence reveals true holiness exercised by the Servant of God, the Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery sends the decree to the pope. If the Holy Father agrees, he orders the Dicastery to issue the decree of either Martyrdom or Heroic Virtue, and the Servant of God is given the title “Venerable.”

Blessed

If the candidate is decreed a martyr, he or she may now be beatified, that is, declared “Blessed.” If the candidate is decreed to have lived a life of heroic virtue, it must be proven that one miracle has been granted by God through the intercession of the candidate before they can be beatified.

Canonization

To be canonized, all of those beatified require one miracle after the date of his or her beatification. When this has been proven, the results are presented to the Holy Father, who then makes the final decision about declaring the blessed to be a saint and worthy of public veneration by the whole Church.By this act, the Church declares that he or she is a saint in heaven with God.