What are the stages of the canonization process for becoming a recognized saint?
The Church's canonization process follows four rigorous steps: 1) Servant of God: The candidate's life and writings are investigated locally after a five-year waiting period; 2) Venerable: The Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints confirms that the person lived a life of 'heroic virtue' or was martyred; 3) Blessed (Beatification): A verified miracle attributed to their intercession is approved (waived for martyrs), permitting localized veneration; 4) Saint (Canonization): A second confirmed miracle is certified, and the Pope solemnly declares the person to be in heaven for universal veneration.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 828
- Hebrews 12:1
Awaiting review by the chaplaincy. Written in our own words; the Church's own texts are the authority.