What is the Difference Between Canonization and Beatification?

The process of canonization and beatification in the Catholic Church involves several stages to proclaim a person a saint. The main differences between canonization and beatification are:

1. Recognition: Beatification is the second stage in the process of proclaiming a person a saint, and it involves the recognition of heroic virtue or the offering of one's life. Canonization, on the other hand, is a formal papal decree that the candidate was holy and is now in heaven with God, allowing public remembrance of the saint at liturgies throughout the Church.
2. Miracles: To be beatified and recognized as a Blessed, one miracle acquired through the candidate's intercession is required in addition to the recognition of heroic virtue or offering of life. Canonization requires a second miracle after beatification. A miracle is not required prior to a martyr's beatification, but one is required before canonization.
3. Public Veneration: Beatification grants the candidate the titled of Blessed and allows limited public veneration, usually only in the diocese, eparchy, region, or religious community in which the Blessed lived. Canonization allows for the public veneration of the Saint by the Universal Church.
4. Papal Decree: Beatification is an "administrative act" by which the pope allows a candidate for sainthood to be venerated. Canonization is a formal papal decree that the candidate was holy and is now in heaven with God.

In summary, beatification is a step towards sainthood, involving local recognition and limited public veneration, while canonization is the final step, involving the pope's formal decree and the recognition of the saint's holiness and presence in heaven, allowing public veneration throughout the Church.

Comparative Table: Canonization vs Beatification

In the Roman Catholic Church, beatification and canonization are two different processes that lead to the recognition of a person as a saint. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two:

In summary, beatification is a permission granted by the pope to venerate a person in specific places, while canonization is a formal decree declaring the person as a saint and mandating their public veneration throughout the Church.