This process, divided into precise stages, verifies the sanctity of the candidate’s life, the heroicity of his virtues, the fame of the signs or fame of martyrdom and the authenticity of the miracles attributed to his intercession. Below, we schematically present the main stages:
The process of beatification and canonisation in the Catholic Church involves several actors, each with well-defined roles. The actor promotes the cause and assumes the moral and financial responsibilities.
The main protagonist is the Postulator of the Cause, who is appointed on behalf of the same actor to promote and follow each phase of the procedure at the diocesan authorities, or in the Roman Phase at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Other key figures include the Bishop of the competent diocese, the Promoter of Justice, the Notary in charge of the official registration of the acts, eyewitnesses and qualified experts in theology, history and medicine, who analyse in detail the life and work of the candidate. Each figure is responsible for ensuring the objectivity, transparency and accuracy of the process.
The initial phase of this process takes place at the diocesan level, under the authority of the local bishop in the diocese where the candidate, called a ‘Servant of God’, spent his life or died. During this investigation, direct testimonies, documents and writings are gathered to prove the reputation of holiness or martyrdom and the heroic virtues attributed to the Servant of God. This phase requires precision, thoroughness and the rigorous application of the canonical procedures established by the Church. At the end of the diocesan phase of the Process, all the documentation is transmitted to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints at the Holy See for in-depth evaluation.
Once the documents have been received in Rome, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints begins an in-depth analysis of the documentation provided. Qualified experts carefully examine the evidence collected in the diocese, verifying its validity and completeness. At the end of this analysis, a ‘Positio’ is drawn up, a complete and detailed dossier that accurately summarises all the relevant information on the candidate’s life, heroic virtues and, if present, martyrdom. The Positio represents an essential document for the continuation of the process.
The Positio is then subjected to careful examination by a college of theologians and cardinals who assess the heroicity of the virtues or the authenticity of the martyrdom. If they recognise the validity and heroicity, they present the Holy Father with a positive recommendation for the promulgation of the Decree of ‘Venerability’. This decree officially sanctions the heroicity of the virtues lived by the Servant of God, recognising their relevance to the spiritual life of the Church.
To proceed to beatification, except in the case of martyrdom, it is necessary to document at least one miracle that occurred through the intercession of the Servant of God, usually a scientifically inexplicable healing: instantaneous, complete and lasting. The diocese in which the alleged miracle occurred launches a new diocesan enquiry, collecting detailed medical evidence, direct testimonies and scientific reports attesting to the inexplicability of the phenomenon according to current medical knowledge.
Once the diocesan enquiry into the miracle is concluded, the documents are sent back to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, where a commission of medical experts, theologians and cardinals assesses the case with rigour and precision. If the authenticity of the miracle is unequivocally confirmed, the Dicastery recommends the Pope to proceed with the beatification.
With the official proclamation, the Pope declares the Servant of God ‘Blessed’, authorising the public cult limited to the diocese or religious family of reference. The celebration of the beatification represents a solemn moment of great importance for the entire ecclesial community involved.
In order to achieve canonisation, i.e. the official proclamation of sanctity with a universal cult, except in the case of the blessed martyr, a second miracle, occurring after beatification, is necessary. This miracle must also be the subject of a rigorous and detailed investigation to confirm its validity.
After the approval of the second miracle, the Pope convenes a Consistory, i.e. a formal meeting with the cardinals, during which the official date for the canonisation ceremony is set. This institutional step further emphasises the solemnity and importance of the final proclamation.
Canonisation is the final and solemn act by which the Pope proclaims the Blessed ‘Saint’ during an official liturgical celebration. From that moment, the saint is universally recognised and venerated throughout the Catholic Church, becoming a model of faith, charity and Christian virtue for all the faithful around the world.
Sources
Nuove procedure nei riti della beatificazione (2005)
SANCTORUM MATER: istruzione per lo svolgimento delle inchieste diocesane o eparchiali nelle cause dei santi (2007)
Norme da osservarsi nelle inchieste diocesane nelle cause dei santi
Costituzione apostolica di Sua Santità Giovanni Paolo II Divinus Perfectionis Magister (1983)
