A common question that many Catholics (and others) have is: How does the Church choose people to become saints?
Usually, people want to know the answer to this question because they want to know the process for how someone is canonized within the Catholic Church. But, before we do this, it may be helpful to see the Church’s vision for sainthood.
- Who Can Become A Saint?
- Why Does The Catholic Church Choose A Person To Be A Saint?
- 5 Steps to Sainthood
- FAQ
- Additional Resources
Who Can Become A Saint?
To answer the question directly, the Catholic Church believes that anyone can become a saint—that is someone who makes it to heaven after their death. Whether you are a priest, a single man, a religious sister, etc., the Catholic Church calls all men and women to seek holiness and sainthood. This idea was given more attention with the release of the document Lumen Gentium by Pope Paul VI that outlined what the Catholic Church calls the “Universal Call to Holiness.”
Why Does The Catholic Church Choose A Person To Be A Saint?
We often casually say that the Church is making him or her a saint. But, technically, the Church does not make saints; it recognizes someone who is in heaven. In addition to this, the Church is seeking people whose lives are worth imitating to such a degree that they can serve as an example to the Church.
What are five steps to canonization?
This is probably the question most people are really asking when they are asking: How does someone become a saint? Here are the five steps.
1. Gathering information
First, the person’s local bishop will examine their life (after their death) by gathering evidence of their faith and any writings they may have written. If the bishop finds them to be worthy of being a saint, he submits the information that he gathered to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
2. Investigation
Second, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints can choose to reject the application or accept it and investigate the person’s life. If the application is accepted, the person may be called Servant of God.
3. The person is declared “Venerable”
Third, if the Congregation for the Causes of Saints approves of the candidate, they can choose to declare that the person lived a life of heroic virtue. This isn’t a declaration that the person is in heaven, but that they pursued holiness while on earth. If this is indeed found to be the case, the person may be called Venerable.
4. The person has a miracle attributed to them and is declared a “Blessed” and beatification is granted
Fourth, to be recognized as someone in heaven requires that a miracle has taken place through the holy intercession of that person. The miracle is usually a healing. The healing has to be instantaneous, permanent, and complete while being scientifically unexplainable. A group of independent doctors must first verify miracles as scientifically unexplainable. After that, theologians then approve the person, and the final approval rests with the pope. When these conditions are met, the Church will declare the person a “Blessed.”
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5. A second miracle is verified, and the saint is declared a Saint
Fifth, a second official miracle is needed in order to declare someone a saint. The confirmation of a new miracle goes through the same scrutiny as the first.
The five-step process is a general outline for how someone becomes a saint. There are exceptions to this process and specific situations that may change the process as well.
Now that you know the process of canonization, take a look at our article “ What is A Catholic Saint?” and learn more about the saints as faithful intercessors and patrons, why and how Catholics celebrate saints, and more!
FAQ: How Does Canonization Work?
1. What is canonization?
Canonization is the formal process by which the Catholic Church recognizes a person as a saint, affirming they are in heaven and worthy of universal veneration.
2. Who can become a saint?
The Church teaches that anyone can become a saint by living a life of holiness and faithfulness to God. This idea is rooted in the “Universal Call to Holiness” outlined in Lumen Gentium . Canonized saints are those whose lives serve as exemplary models for others.
3. Why does the Church canonize saints?
Canonization doesn’t “make” someone a saint—it recognizes that the person is in heaven. Saints are chosen as examples of heroic virtue and holiness, inspiring the faithful and interceding for them.
4. What are the steps to sainthood?
The process involves five key steps:
- Gathering Information The local bishop investigates the candidate’s life, writings, and reputation for holiness after their death. If evidence supports their cause, the case is sent to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
- Investigation The Congregation conducts a deeper examination of the person’s life. If accepted, the candidate is titled Servant of God.
- Declaration of “Venerable” If the individual is found to have lived a life of heroic virtue, they are declared Venerable. This is not yet a declaration of sainthood.
- Beatification (Blessed) A verified miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession is required. The miracle is examined by independent doctors and theologians before final approval by the pope.
- Canonization (Saint) A second confirmed miracle through the person’s intercession is typically required. Onceverified, the pope declares the individual a saint.
5. Are there exceptions to the process?
Yes. Some saints, like martyrs, may not require a verified miracle, and the pope can waive certain steps in extraordinary circumstances.
6. What kinds of miracles are required for canonization?
Miracles are typically healings that are instantaneous, complete, permanent, and scientifically unexplainable. Independent medical experts and theologians thoroughly examine these claims.
7. How long does the canonization process take?
There is no set timeline—it can take decades or even centuries. Some saints, like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, were canonized relatively quickly, while others waited much longer.
8. What is the role of the pope in canonization?
The pope has the final authority in the canonization process, making the formal declaration of sainthood.
9. Can lay people be canonized?
Absolutely. Many canonized saints were lay people who lived ordinary lives of extraordinary holiness.
10. Why is this process so rigorous?
The Church ensures the candidate’s life and virtues are thoroughly examined to confirm their sanctity. The rigorous process protects the integrity of canonization and inspires trust among the faithful.
Additional Resources
FOCUS alumna Michelle Duppong, passed away from cancer in 2015. The Diocese of Bismarck opened an investigation into Michelle’s life of holiness, which could eventually lead to her canonization. Listen to our podcast to learn more!
We love the saints here at FOCUS. Learn about some lesser known ones in our article “25 Patron Saints of Really Random Things.”
For more on the saints, check out a few of these articles on FOCUS Equip:
Favorite Saints’ Favorite Saints (and Their Other Devotions)
Saints Are Still Being Made: Meet Chiara Corbella Petrillo
St. John Bosco and the Power of Relationships
What St. Marianne Cope Teaches Us About Leading From the Front
4 Lessons from Sts. Joachim and Anne – Our Spiritual Grandparents
Who is St. Josephine Bakhita? 5 Lessons from a 20th Century Saint
For even more great Catholic resources, check out our podcast, which features talks from our SEEK conference, and our YouTube channel for videos and more!
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