What is Canonization?

Canonization is a solemn declaration by the Pope that a certain person has, in faithfulness to the grace of God, practiced heroic virtue and is therefore proposed as a model and intercessor for the whole Catholic Church.

Was it always this way, beginning with St. Peter? No. From earliest Christian times only martyrs were honored and recommended as models of virtue and as intercessors. Gradually, other persons were also so recognized by the members of the church. Then the local bishops would decide to insert the names of these holy persons into the liturgy of the mass. Gradually, bishops began to defer to the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. It was in the year 993 that for the first time a pope formally canonized someone in the way that we know it today. That was when Pope John XV canonized St. Ulric of Augsburg, who had practiced heroic charity for persons in great need.

How does the canonization process begin? It begins spontaneously as people simply recognize that someone was a very holy person, and they begin to feel that this person is obtaining favors from God for them. Someone especially interested or a group approaches their local bishop, who they may provide for further information about this person. If the bishop is convinced, he will send a report on the person to the Congregation for Causes of Saints at the Vatican.

Declaring a person "Venerable" The Congregation researches the life and virtue and/or martyrdom, as well as the writings, of this candidate. If the congregation recommends the cause of this candidate, and this recommendation is accepted by the Pope, this person receives the formal title of "Venerable."

Declaring a person "Blessed" The apostolic process then continues with still more scrutiny of the life and virtues of the holy person. Witnesses are called in and give sworn testimony. A "Promotor of the Cause" is appointed, who most also search out possible objections. Also, attention is given to cures attributed to the candidate's intercession. Ordinarily, two cures obtained through the candidate's prayer and declared by medical experts to be clearly beyond natural causes are required for this process to move to conclusion. The "Venerable" candidate is then declared "Blessed" by the Pope in a solemn ceremony, and recommended for imitation and special liturgical honor, but only in a limited region or in a religious order.

Declaring a person "Saint" Canonization is the final step, which may follow beatification quickly or after many years, even centuries, depending upon the case and the wish of the Pope. Usually another miracle through the holy person's intercession is required. Special procedures are followed before the final celebration of canonization. When all has been satisfactorily completed, the Pope decrees that the whole Church is to honor and imitate this person, and inserts the person's name into the canon of the Mass during the solemn ceremony of canonization. The person can now publicly be honored with the title "Saint".

--- Angelita Myerscough ASC

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