A House of Saints

More Than Miracles: The Strict Requirements for Canonization

Unpacking the detailed virtues, heroic lives, and confirmed miracles necessary for an individual to be declared a saint.

As someone observing from outside the Catholic tradition, the concept of "sainthood" can seem both intriguing and perhaps a little mysterious. We often hear about Mother Teresa or Pope John Paul II being declared saints, and the word "miracle" frequently comes up in conversation. But what exactly does it mean for the Catholic Church to declare someone a saint, and what is the rigorous process that leads to such a profound designation?

Let's start with a basic understanding. For Catholics, a saint is not just a particularly good or religious person, but someone believed to be in Heaven and who lived a life of exceptional holiness and virtue. They are seen as examples to emulate and as powerful intercessors – meaning, Catholics believe saints can pray to God on our behalf (intercession). It's not about worshipping the saint, but rather asking them to join their prayers with ours, much like you might ask a friend to pray for you.

Now, let's explore the multi-stage process, known as canonization, by which the Catholic Church formally recognizes an individual as a saint. This isn't a hasty decision; it's a meticulous investigation that can take decades, even centuries, and involves deep scrutiny of the individual's life, writings, and reputation for holiness.

Step 1: Servant of God
The journey typically begins at least five years after a person's death (though the Pope can waive this waiting period, as was done for Mother Teresa). At this point, the local bishop of the diocese where the person died or where their reputation for holiness is strongest can open an investigation. This initial phase involves gathering testimonies from witnesses who knew the person, collecting their writings, and compiling any evidence of their virtuous life. If the investigation concludes that the person demonstrated a "reputation of holiness," they are given the title "Servant of God."

Step 2: Venerable
The gathered information, often voluminous, is then sent to the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints (formerly known as the Congregation for the Causes of Saints). Here, a team of theologians and other experts meticulously examine the documentation. They are looking for evidence of "heroic virtue" – not just ordinary goodness, but an extraordinary dedication to Christian virtues like faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. If a majority of these experts vote favorably, and the Pope approves, a decree is issued declaring the individual "Venerable." This signifies that the Church believes the person lived a life of outstanding virtue. Interestingly, the traditional role of the "Devil's Advocate" (formally known as the Promoter of the Faith), whose job it was to raise objections and scrutinize the candidate's life, has been reformed since 1983, though the rigor of the investigation remains.

Step 3: Blessed (Beatification)
This is where the concept of miracles truly comes into play for non-martyrs. To move from "Venerable" to "Blessed" (a process called beatification), one confirmed miracle attributed to the Venerable's intercession is typically required. But what constitutes a miracle in this context? The Church's definition of a miracle is very precise: it must be an event that defies natural explanation, often a spontaneous and complete healing from a grave illness that medical science cannot account for. A team of medical professionals, often not Catholic themselves, thoroughly examines the alleged miracle, looking for any possible natural explanation for the healing. If they declare it inexplicable by science, a theological commission then determines if there's a direct link between the healing and prayers offered to the Venerable. Only if both medical and theological commissions agree, and the Pope approves, is the Venerable beatified and given the title "Blessed." It's important to note an exception here: if a person is recognized as a martyr – someone who died for their faith – a miracle is not required for beatification. Their ultimate sacrifice is considered a direct testimony to their heroic virtue.

Step 4: Saint (Canonization)
 The final step is canonization, which bestows the title of "Saint." For this to happen, a second miracle, occurring *after* the beatification and attributed to the intercession of the Blessed, is required. This second miracle undergoes the same rigorous medical and theological examination as the first. If confirmed, and with the Pope's final approval, the Blessed is formally declared a Saint in a solemn ceremony. This declaration is understood by Catholics as an infallible statement that the individual is indeed in Heaven and worthy of universal public veneration throughout the Church.

Why the Rigor?
 From an outside perspective, one might wonder about the intense scrutiny and the emphasis on miracles. For the Catholic Church, this rigorous process serves several crucial purposes: 

• Assurance of Holiness: It provides a profound assurance to the faithful that the person truly lived an exemplary life of Christian virtue and is a worthy model. 
• Divine Confirmation: Miracles are seen as God's own confirmation of the holiness of the individual, a supernatural sign that transcends human understanding. 
• Safeguarding against Error: The lengthy and detailed investigations are designed to prevent mistakes and ensure that only truly holy individuals are officially recognized. 
• Encouragement for the Faithful: Saints are held up as inspiring examples of how to live a life devoted to God, offering encouragement and hope to believers.

While the intricacies of canonization, with its emphasis on virtues, heroic lives, and confirmed miracles, might seem complex, it reveals a deep commitment within the Catholic Church to recognize and honor those who have lived lives of extraordinary faith and dedication, serving as beacons of hope and inspiration for generations of believers.