Stages in the Canonization Process

The canonization process moves through four distinct stages: servant of God, venerable, blessed, and saint.

A person becomes a servant of God once a diocese completes its investigation into the individual's life and writings and sends those records to the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. If the Dicastery reviews the diocesan work and determines the person practiced heroic virtues, it may publish a decree to that effect. A person is then declared venerable after a panel of theologians confirms their writings reflect the Catholic faith.

To reach the stage of blessed, a reported miracle must be verified by independent teams of doctors, theologians, and cardinals. If the pope agrees the event was a miracle, the person is declared blessed, allowing for liturgical observance in their specific region or religious order. Martyrs do not require a miracle for this stage. A second miracle, following the same verification process, is required before the pope can declare a person a saint and permit worldwide liturgical observance.