Steps in the canonisation process

What is canonisation?


When declaring a saint the Church looks at:

  • The life of a person. It looks at what the person did, how she reacted to the events of life, what people wrote and said about her, what she wrote or said herself. For a martyr the Church looks at the death of a person and considers the reason for the death and the circumstances surrounding the death.\
  • The question of continuing devotion. When the person died did the people keep the memory alive? Is the person still alive in the faith of the people? Is her life continuing in the people?
The process of canonisation

There are several steps in the process for canonisation.

Step 1: Local investigation - Servant of God

When the subject arises that a person should be considered for Sainthood, a Bishop is placed in charge of the initial investigation of the person's life. If it is determined that the candidate is deemed worthy of further consideration, the Vatican grants a "Nihil Obstat." This is a Latin phrase that means "nothing hinders." Henceforth, the candidate is called a"Servant of God."

Step 2: Documents and testimonies presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints - Venerable

The Church Official, a Postulator, who coordinates the process and serves as an advocate, must prove that the candidate lived heroic virtues. This is achieved through the collection of documents and testimonies that are collected and presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome.

When a candidate is approved, he/she earns the title of"Venerable."

Step 3: First miracle required - Beatification


The beatification process begins in the diocese where the person died or where a miracle is claimed to have occurred. Beatification is a pre-requisite for canonisation.

There are two phases:
  • one in the diocese where the person died, and
  • one in Rome. 

The Diocesan Phase

In the diocesan phase the writings and stories of the person are collected and examined. Further evidence is also rigorously collected to establish the heroicity of virtue. In addition there is an examination of cures that could be declared miracles. One cure is chosen for study in the diocese where it occurred.

The Roman Phase

All the information collected in the diocese is sent to Rome where a panel of medical specialists give an opinion as to whether the cure could be explained by scientific means. Then theologians and cardinals study whether the cure can be attributed to the intercession of the person. Heroicity of virtue also needs to be established. If these outcomes are positive the person is decreed to be “Venerable”. Following these two decrees, recommendations are made to the Holy Father who then decides if the person can be beatified. If beatification is successful the next step in the process is canonisation.

Step 5: Second miracle - Canonisation or Sainthood

There must be proof of a second posthumous miracle.

The proof of such a miracle must be rigorously studied, as for beatification, in the diocese where it happened. The documentation is presented to Rome, where the Cause is reopened.

When all evidence is accepted by both the medical experts and the theologians, the Holy Father issues the decree for canonisation and the ceremony, generally held in Rome, can proceed. The title of “Saint” is granted.

Canonisation means that the saint will now be recognised world-wide and venerated as a saint for the universal Church. The feast-day is listed in the universal Church calendar and the liturgy and prayers may be universally used.


The process of canonisation (

Four steps to sainthood (Catholic Doors)