Canonization is a proclamation in the Roman Catholic Church by which a person famous for holiness is understood to be in heaven. That person is given the title of saint. Respect is shown for a saint through prayers, festivals, and art connected with the individual. The church encourages imitation of the saint’s life.
Beatification is an essential first step toward a person’s canonization. Beatification is the declaration by the pope that a person who has died is among the blessed in heaven and deserves religious honor. A requirement for beatification is that the person must have performed a miracle or must be a martyr (person who sacrifices oneself for a cause).
Before issuing a proclamation of canonization, the church conducts a strict examination and inquiry into the candidate’s life and virtue. Once the person has been beatified, another miracle is needed for canonization. The individual can then be proposed as an example of how to live a dedicated spiritual life. Only certain people are declared saints through canonization. However, the church does not imply that a deceased person is not a saint or in heaven if canonization has not occurred.
In the early church, apostles and some martyrs were venerated (honored) as saints by popular acclaim. By the 300’s, holy people in certain regions were considered saints, often leading to their acceptance as saints by the entire church. Gradually, canonization became more formal. The first solemn canonization honored Saint Ulric of Augsburg in 993.
See also All Saints’ Day ; Beatification ; Saint .
