What is canonize?

Canonization is the process by which the Catholic Church declares someone to be a saint. The process involves investigating the person's life, writings, miracles attributed to them, and their reputation for holiness and virtue. If the investigation concludes that the person lived a life of heroic virtue and that two miracles can be attributed to them, the pope can declare them a saint.

The practice of canonization dates back to the early Church, but it became more formalized in the 11th century. Today, the process typically takes many years, and it involves a number of steps, including the gathering of evidence and testimony, the evaluation of that evidence by theologians and cardinals, and a final decision by the pope.

While canonization is most commonly associated with the Catholic Church, other Christian denominations, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, also have their own process for declaring saints. However, the criteria and processes for canonization can vary significantly between different Christian traditions.