STEPS TO SAINTHOOD

The following is information regarding the steps to sainthood, from sources including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic News Service and www.americancatholic.org.

Examination

• Five years must pass from the time of a candidate’s death.

• The bishop of the diocese in which the candidate died must begin the investigationexamination process, starting the canonization process.

• A church commission reviews the candidate’s life, works and miracles.

• The pope proclaims candidate is “venerable,” a role model of Roman Catholic virtues.

Beatification

• Church recognizes candidate as “blessed,” indicating he or she lived a life of heroic virtue.

• At least one authenticated miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession is required. If the commission judges the candidate was killed out of hatred for the faith (martyred), as is the case for the Rev. Stanley Rother, no miracle is required for beatification.

Canonization

• Another authenticated miracle is attributed to the candidate.

• Candidate is given the title “Saint,” indicating he or she is a model for living a spiritual life.