Canonization vs Beatification
Canonization and Beatification are two distinct procedures carried out by the Church. Canonization is the ultimate glorification of a servant of God by the Church, involving the solemn Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff. Beatification, on the other hand, is the granting of a public cult in the form of an indult, limited to a servant of God whose heroic virtues or martyrdom have been duly recognized. These definitions were established by the New Procedures in the Rite of Beatification, Congregation for the Causes of the Saints on September 29, 2005. Both canonization and beatification are considered judgments by the Church that the individual is worthy of respect, veneration, and reigns in glory.
Key Takeaways
- Beatification is the third step in declaring someone a saint, and the person receives local recognition only, requiring heroic virtues and miraculous power.
- Canonization is the final step in declaring someone a saint and involves adding the person’s name to the catalog of Saints maintained by the Roman Catholic Church, requiring at least two additional miracles performed by the saint.
- Beatification has a permitted culture, while canonization has a mandated culture as canonized Saints become patrons of Churches and are venerated throughout the Catholic Church.
