Michael Brooks
Canonization is the process by which a Christian communion, usually the Roman Catholic Church, declares a deceased person to be a saint. Canonization is a papal decree that allows universal veneration of the saint. While canonization is mainly associated with the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church also practices it. The process of canonization involves a long investigation, scrutiny, and prayer that can last for years or decades. The Pope, who has the sole authority to canonize a saint, makes the proclamation during a Papal Mass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can be canonized? | Deceased members of the Church |
| Who performs the canonization? | The Pope |
| Who can grant permission for local veneration? | Bishops, primates, and patriarchs |
| Who can grant permission for universal veneration? | The Pope |
| What is the first step towards canonization? | Beatification |
| What is required for beatification? | A miracle attributed to the individual's intercession |
| What is required for canonization? | A second miracle after beatification |
| Who can waive the requirements for canonization? | The Pope |
| What is the process of canonization? | Investigation, scrutiny, and prayer |
| What is the final step of canonization? | A proclamation by the Pope |
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What You'll Learn
Canonization is a decree that allows universal veneration of a saint
In the early church, there was no formal canonization, but the cult of local martyrs was widespread and regulated by the bishop of the diocese. The translation of a martyr's remains from the place of burial to a church was equivalent to canonization. Gradually, ecclesiastical authorities intervened more directly in the process of canonization. By the 10th century, appeals were made to the pope, and the first saint canonized by a pope was Ulrich, bishop of Augsburg, in 993.
The canonization process involves three steps: Venerable, Blessed, and Saint. A candidate becomes Venerable when their case has been officially accepted, and a special papal decree announces their candidacy, asserting that the person had virtues of a heroic degree or suffered martyrdom. The second step, beatification, entails four general steps: an informative process, introduction of the cause, the apostolic process, and four definite judgments. The third step, canonization, requires a second miracle after beatification.
The canonization rite takes place within the setting of a Papal Mass, beginning with prayers and hymns and proceeding with the chanting of the Litany of Saints. The pope then processes to the altar, and the rite continues with the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints making three petitions to the pope to proclaim the blessed or blesseds among the saints. The canonization formula is an irrevocable decree issued by the pope, prescribing universal veneration.
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The Pope makes the final decision on who becomes a saint
Canonization is the formal process by which the Catholic Church declares a person to be a saint. While canonization is mainly a Catholic practice, it is also performed in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
In the early church, there was no formal canonization. Instead, the cult of local martyrs was widespread and regulated by the bishop of the diocese. The translation of a martyr's remains from their burial place to a church was equivalent to canonization.
Over time, ecclesiastical authorities began to intervene more directly in the process of canonization. By the 10th century, appeals were made to the pope. The first saint canonized by a pope was Ulrich, bishop of Augsburg, who died in 973 and was canonized by Pope John XV in 993.
In 1170, Pope Alexander III issued a decree reserving the right of canonization for the pope. However, some bishops continued to grant veneration to individuals without following the proper procedures. In 1634, Pope Urban VIII published a bull that put an end to the discussion by reserving the right of canonization exclusively to the Holy See.
The process of canonization is meticulous and involves three voices that must be in agreement: the Vox Populi or voice of the people, the Vox Dei or voice of God (through a miracle), and the Vox Ecclesiae or voice of the Church's official judgment. The process can be lengthy, involving years or even decades of investigation, scrutiny, and prayer.
> "For the honor of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of the Christian life, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, after due deliberation and frequent prayer for divine assistance, and having sought the counsel of many of our brother bishops, we declare and define Blessed __________ be a saint and we enroll him (or her) among the saints, decreeing that he (or she) is to be venerated as such by the whole Church. In the name of the Holy Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The canonization rite takes place within the setting of a Papal Mass, beginning with prayers, hymns, and the chanting of the Litany of Saints. The pope then processes to the altar, and the rite continues with three petitions to the pope to proclaim the blessed or blesseds among the saints.
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The process of canonization includes beatification
Canonization is the declaration of a deceased person as an officially recognized saint. In the Catholic Church, it is a decree that allows universal veneration of the saint. Canonization is a papal declaration that the Catholic faithful may venerate a particular deceased member of the church. The act of canonization is reserved for the Apostolic See and occurs at the conclusion of a long process requiring extensive proof that the candidate for canonization lived and died in an exemplary and holy way.
Beatification, on the other hand, is the first step toward canonization, where limited public veneration is permitted. It is not considered an infallible papal act, and so it is not yet appropriate for the entire Church to give liturgical veneration to the Blessed. The process of beatification includes an informative process, introduction of the cause, the apostolic process, and four definite judgments. The informative phase of the process involves documenting the life and virtues of a holy person, which cannot begin until 5 years after their death. This waiting period ensures that the person has a lasting reputation for sanctity.
After the waiting period, the Bishop of the diocese in which the individual died can petition the Holy See to allow the initialization of a Cause for Beatification and Canonization. If there is no objection, the permission, or nihil obstat, is communicated to the initiating Bishop. Once the person's Heroic Virtues have been recognized by the Pope, they are called Venerable. A Venerable does not yet have a feast day, permission to erect churches in their honor, or a statement on their probable or certain presence in Heaven. However, prayer cards and other materials may be printed to encourage the faithful to pray for a miracle as a sign of God's will for canonization.
After beatification, the Church looks for a second miracle before proceeding to canonization. The alleged miracle is studied by scientific and theological commissions in the diocese in which it is alleged to have occurred. The consent of the Holy Father to the decision of the Congregation results in a Decree of a Miracle, after which canonization is possible.
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Canonization is also recognised by the Eastern Orthodox Church
Canonization is the declaration of a deceased person as an officially recognized saint. It is a decree that allows universal veneration of the saint. Canonization is a papal declaration that the Catholic faithful may venerate a particular deceased member of the church. The term is understood to refer to the Roman Catholic Church but also the Eastern Orthodox Church.
In the Catholic Church, both in the Latin and the constituent Eastern churches, the act of canonization is reserved for the Apostolic See. The Pope alone can rule the universal Catholic Church. The first saint canonized by a pope was Ulrich, bishop of Augsburg, who died in 973 and was canonized by Pope John XV at a synod held in the Lateran in 993.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, canonization is a solemn proclamation rather than a process. Canonization in the Orthodox Church is a decree regarding the public ecclesiastical veneration of an individual. Such veneration may be permissive or preceptive, universal or local. If the decree contains a precept and is universal, it is a decree of canonization. If it only permits such worship, or if it binds under precept but not with regard to the whole Church, it is a decree of beatification.
The canonization process is essentially the same, but at least one verified miracle obtained through invocation after beatification must occur before the cause for canonization may be introduced. For a candidate to become a saint, they must first become "Venerable". Once the candidate's case has been officially accepted by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the Pope announces the candidacy, asserting that the person had virtues of a heroic degree or suffered martyrdom. The next step is beatification, which is the concession of limited public veneration. The final step is canonization, which requires another miracle.
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The process of canonization involves extensive investigation
Canonization is the process by which a Christian communion, mainly the Roman Catholic Church, declares one of its deceased members worthy of public veneration and enters their name in the canon catalogue of saints. Canonization is a papal declaration that the Catholic faithful may venerate a particular deceased member of the church. The act of canonization is reserved for the Apostolic See and occurs at the conclusion of a long process requiring extensive proof that the candidate for canonization lived and died in such an exemplary and holy way that they are worthy to be recognized as a saint.
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is a department of the Roman Curia, which was established as the Congregation of Rites by Pope Sixtus V in 1588. The congregation makes recommendations to the pope on beatifications and canonizations, and authenticates and preserves sacred relics. The Sacred Congregation of Rites was assigned the duty of conducting the processes of beatification and canonization by Pope Sixtus V. Beatification is the first step toward canonization, whereby limited public veneration is permitted.
The canonization process is essentially the same, but at least one verified miracle obtained through invocation after beatification must occur before the cause for canonization may be introduced. A potential candidate for sainthood becomes "Venerable" when their case has been officially accepted by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, formerly the Sacred Congregation of Rites. This is the first of three stages in the canonization process. Canonization requires a second miracle after beatization. The pope may waive these requirements.
In the early church, there was no formal canonization, but the cult of local martyrs was widespread and was regulated by the bishop of the diocese. The translation of the martyr's remains from the place of burial to a church was equivalent to canonization. Gradually, ecclesiastical authorities intervened more directly in the process of canonization. By the 10th century, appeals were made to the pope. Over time, the procedures became increasingly regularized, and the popes began restricting to themselves the right to declare someone a Catholic saint.
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Frequently asked questions
Canonization is the formal process by which a Christian communion, usually the Roman Catholic Church, declares a deceased person to be a saint and worthy of veneration.
No, canonization is also a practice in the Eastern Orthodox Church. However, in this denomination, it is a solemn proclamation rather than a process.
Canonization requires extensive proof that the candidate lived and died in an exemplary and holy way. The Pope may waive these requirements, but typically, two miracles are required for canonization: one miracle is needed for beatification, and another is needed after beatification.
