A brief guide to the Catholic Church's saint-making process
The process that can lead to sainthood, known as a "cause," cannot usually start until five years after a person's death.
In the early years of the Church, a saint could be declared such by acclamation by the people, or by cardinals, or by papal decree.
Today, the Vatican department that studies sainthood causes is known as the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Its origins date back to 1588, but the department has been modified several times over the years.
After the Dicastery accepts the name of a person to be considered for sainthood, that person is given the title "Servant of God."
If initial investigations show that the candidate for sainthood lived what is known as a life of "heroic virtues," that person is given the title "Venerable."
Historical and theological commissions in the Dicastery study the person's life, read his or her writings and interview people who knew the person.
At this point, in order for the procedure to continue, a miracle is needed.
If a miracle is determined for those who were not martyrs, the person can be "beatified" and is given the title "Blessed." A second, distinct miracle must take place after the beatification in order to proceed to sainthood.
REUTERS / VATICAN MEDIA
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