The Canonization Process

In the Catholic Church, the process by which someone becomes a saint is called canonization. According to the Catholic church, the pope does not make someone a saint -- the designation of sainthood only recognizes what God has already done. The process of becoming a Catholic saint is very lengthy, often taking decades or centuries to complete. Here are the steps that must be followed:

1. A local bishop investigates the candidate's life and writings for evidence of heroic virtue. The information uncovered by the bishop is sent to the Vatican.
   
   
2. A panel of theologians and the cardinals of the Congregation for Cause of Saints evaluate the candidate's life.
   
   
3. If the panel approves, the pope proclaims that the candidate is venerable, which means that the person is a role model of Catholic virtues.
   
   
4. The next step toward sainthood is beatification. Beatification allows a person to be honored by a particular group or region. In order to beatify a candidate, it must be shown that the person is responsible for a posthumous miracle. Martyrs, those who died for their religious cause, can be beatified without evidence of a miracle.
   
   
5. In order for the candidate to be considered a saint, there must be proof of a second posthumous miracle. If there is, the person is canonized.

Father Moreau's cause for beatification was first introduced on the diocesan level in Le Mans, France in 1946. However, it was not until 1955, that the cause was presented for consideration by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. This congregation studied the life, the writings and the spirituality of Basile Moreau and after a definitive presentation of the study on the founder's virtues, Basile Moreau's practice of the theological and cardinal virtues were declared heroic in nature. Pope John Paul II issued the declaration and bestowed on the founder of Holy Cross the title Venerable on April 12, 2003. After further study and the unanimous acceptance of a miraculous cure attributed to Venerable Basile Moreau's intercession, Basile Moreau was proclaimed Blessed on September 15, 2007.