Process for Canonization

The Church follows a centralized process to recognize saints, moving from local dioceses to the Holy See’s Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. According to Pat McCloskey, OFM, the process begins when a person is titled a Servant of God. If investigations into their life and writings are completed, the person may be declared Venerable.

Beatification requires different evidence depending on the person's death. Martyrs do not need a miracle to be beatified. For other candidates, separate committees of doctors, theologians, and cardinals must investigate and accept a miracle attributed to the person's intercession. Once beatified, a person can be honored liturgically in a specific region or religious community. Canonization requires an additional miracle.

The process does not require a known grave. While a public recognition of the body occurs before beatification if the burial site is known, individuals like St. Maximilian Kolbe can still be recognized even if their remains are lost.