We have a summary section for each Saint that lists, if available, their year of birth, death, and canonization. It includes, if they are celebrated in and when they were added to the Roman Calendar (if available). Also it lists whether or not they are in the Roman Canon and any other significant information (i.e. doctor of the Church). Finally, there is a brief biography of the Saint.
The Process of Canonization
In 993, Pope John XV elevated Uric of Augsburg formally and universally as we do today to the level of Saint. Before that time, local bishops would decide which candidates would have honorable mention and feast days. Originally, only martyrs were honored and "recommended" to the public.
Pope Alexander III in the 12th century was the first pope to restrict the prerogative of canonization to the Holy See. In 1983 the process was modified, with one of the changes being to reduce the process to ten years. The person must have died at least five years prior to the beginning of the process.
The levels in the process are Venerable, Blessed, and Saint.
- Venerable - The congregation researches the candidate's virtues to verify if the person practiced virtue to a heroic degree, or died a martyr's death, and either does or does not recommend their cause. When the pope accepts the report, the candidate in termed "Venerable."
- Blessed - The second (apostolic) process continues the first. Now is a very lengthy process of scrutiny over the person's life, virtues, writings and reputation for holiness. Customarily one miracle must be credited to the candidate's intercession with God. The venerable candidate would then be "beatified" by the pope at a ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica.
- Saint - Canonization means being "raised to the full honors of the altar." A second miracle, after beatification is required. In the ceremonies, the name of the saint is mentioned in the Eucharistic prayer of the Mass, and is usually accorded triduum, often in another church in Rome.
- Beatification allows veneration, canonization requires it. The beatified are recommended to a city/region or religious order for veneration, the Canonized are recommended to the whole Church.