Canonization vs. Beatification — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 11, 2024
Canonization officially declares a deceased person a saint, emphasizing universal veneration. Beatification is a step before, acknowledging the person's entrance into heaven and permitting local veneration.
Difference Between Canonization and Beatification
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Canonization and beatification are both processes within the Catholic Church related to recognizing the holiness of a deceased person's life, but they serve different purposes and occur at different stages of this process. Canonization is the final step, where the Church formally declares a person to be a saint and worthy of universal veneration by Catholics. This means that the person is believed to be in heaven and can intercede for us with God. On the other hand, beatification is a step before canonization. It allows for the veneration of the person, but usually only in specific regions or religious communities. Beatification recognizes that a person has entered heaven and has the power to intercede for us, but does not yet declare them a saint for the universal Church.
The process for each also differs significantly. Canonization requires two miracles to be attributed to the person's intercession after their beatification, although in some cases, the Pope may waive these requirements. Beatification requires one miracle after the person's death, showing that they are in heaven and can intercede for us. These miracles are typically cures that medical science cannot explain.
The local versus universal veneration is another key difference. After beatification, the person may be honored by a particular diocese, country, or religious community, whereas canonization allows for universal veneration throughout the Catholic Church. This distinction highlights the Church's cautious approach to declaring someone a saint, ensuring that their life was truly exemplary and worthy of emulation by all Catholics.
Canonization also involves a formal papal declaration, which is not necessarily required for beatification. While both processes involve rigorous examination of the person’s life, virtues, and miracles, canonization’s papal declaration is a definitive statement of the person's sainthood, reflecting their universal importance to the Church.
Despite these differences, both canonization and beatification are rooted in the Church's belief in the communion of saints and the power of intercession. They reflect the Church’s recognition of those who have led lives of extraordinary holiness and who can inspire the faithful through their examples and intercessions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Formal declaration of sainthood, allowing universal veneration.
Recognition of a person's entrance into heaven, allowing local veneration.
Requirements
Two miracles attributed to the person's intercession post-beatification.
One miracle attributed to the person's intercession post-death.
Scope of Veneration
Universal throughout the Catholic Church.
Usually limited to specific regions or communities.
Papal Involvement
Requires a formal declaration by the Pope.
Does not necessarily require a papal declaration.
Stage in Process
Final step in the process of recognizing a saint.
Preliminary step, preceding canonization.
Compare with Definitions
Canonization
The act of officially adding a deceased person to the list of saints.
Mother Teresa's canonization in 2016 recognized her global impact and holiness.
Beatification
The recognition by the Catholic Church that a deceased person has entered heaven and can intercede for us.
Beatification is an important step towards sainthood, requiring a verified miracle.
Canonization
The Church's formal recognition of sainthood.
Canonization is a rare honor that confirms a person's lasting spiritual legacy.
Beatification
A declaration allowing for the local veneration of a deceased person.
After beatification, the blessed's feast day is celebrated in places significant to their life.
Canonization
A declaration that a person is worthy of universal veneration.
Canonization ceremonies are significant events within the Catholic Church.
Beatification
A step in the Catholic Church's process of recognizing saints, focusing on local impact.
Beatification allows the faithful in specific regions to venerate the blessed.
Canonization
The final step in the process of declaring a person a saint in the Catholic Church.
The canonization process involves thorough investigation into the candidate's life and miracles.
Beatification
An acknowledgment of a miracle attributed to the person's intercession.
The miracle required for beatification is thoroughly investigated by the Church.
Canonization
An acknowledgment of a person's entrance into heaven, confirmed by miracles.
Each canonization must be supported by evidence of miracles attributed to the saint.
Beatification
The preliminary stage before a person is canonized as a saint.
Beatification acknowledges the holy life of the individual and their heavenly presence.
Canonization
Canonization is the declaration of a deceased person as an officially recognized saint, specifically, the official act of a Christian communion declaring a person worthy of public cult and entering their name in the canon, or authorized list, of that communion's recognized saints.
Beatification
Beatification (from Latin beatus, "blessed" and facere, "to make”) is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name. Beati is the plural form, referring to those who have undergone the process of beatification; they possess the title of "Blessed" before their names and are often referred to in English as "a Blessed" or, plurally, "Blesseds".
Canonization
To declare (a deceased person) to be a saint and entitled to be fully honored as such.
Beatification
Roman Catholic Church To proclaim (a deceased person) to be one of the blessed and thus worthy of public religious veneration in a particular region or religious congregation.
Canonization
To include in the biblical canon.
Beatification
To exalt; glorify
"There was no dearth of criticism even after Beethoven was beatified" (Paul Henry Lang).
Canonization
To include in a literary canon.
Beatification
The act of beatifying, or the state of being beatified; especially, in the Roman Catholic Church, the act or process of ascertaining and declaring that a deceased person is one of "the blessed," or has attained the second degree of sanctity, — usually a stage in the process of canonization.
Canonization
To approve as being within canon law.
Beatification
The act of beatifying, or the state of being beatified; esp., in the R. C. Church, the act or process of ascertaining and declaring that a deceased person is one of "the blessed," or has attained the second degree of sanctity, - usually a stage in the process of canonization.
Canonization
To treat as sacred; glorify.
Beatification
A state of supreme happiness
Canonization
(Christianity) The final process or decree (following beatification) by which the name of a deceased person is placed in the catalogue (canon) of saints and commended to perpetual veneration and invocation.
Beatification
The action of rendering supremely blessed and extremely happy
Canonization
The state of being canonized or sainted.
Beatification
(Roman Catholic Church) an act of the Pope who declares that a deceased person lived a holy life and is worthy of public veneration; a first step toward canonization
Canonization
Introduction into a canon of artistic or literary works.
Canonization
The final process or decree (following beatifacation) by which the name of a deceased person is placed in the catalogue (canon) of saints and commended to perpetual veneration and invocation.
Canonization of saints was not known to the Christian church titl toward the middle of the tenth century.
Canonization
The state of being canonized or sainted.
Canonization
(Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church) the act of admitting a deceased person into the canon of saints
Common Curiosities
Is beatification the same as canonization?
No, beatification is a preliminary step to canonization, allowing for local veneration, whereas canonization permits universal veneration.
How many miracles are required for canonization?
Two miracles attributed to the person's intercession are typically required for canonization.
Can anyone be canonized?
Anyone who has lived a life of heroic virtue and for whom miracles have been attributed can be considered for canonization, following a thorough investigation.
How many miracles are required for beatification?
One miracle attributed to the person's intercession post-death is required for beatification.
Can a beatified person be called a saint?
Beatified individuals are called "Blessed" and are not yet considered saints for universal veneration.
How can the faithful venerate a beatified person?
The faithful can pray for the intercession of a beatified person and celebrate their feast day, typically in specific regions or communities.
What is canonization?
Canonization is the Catholic Church's official declaration that a deceased person is a saint and worthy of universal veneration.
What is beatification?
Beatification is the recognition by the Catholic Church that a deceased person has entered heaven and permits local veneration.
What is the purpose of miracles in these processes?
Miracles serve as divine confirmation of the person's holiness and intercessory power in heaven.
Can beatification occur outside the Catholic Church?
Beatification and canonization are processes specific to the Catholic Church.
What happens after someone is canonized?
After canonization, the saint is venerated universally throughout the Catholic Church, and their feast day is celebrated.
How long does the canonization process take?
The process can vary greatly in length, often taking many years or even centuries, depending on the available evidence and miracles.
Who decides if someone is beatified or canonized?
The Pope ultimately decides on beatifications and canonizations, based on the Congregation for the Causes of Saints' recommendations.
Are there any exceptions to the miracle requirements?
In some cases, the Pope may waive the miracle requirements, especially for martyrs or on very rare occasions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
