THE FOUR STAGES OF CANONISATION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
SERVANT OF GOD
* The candidate must have been dead for at least five years unless the Pope intervenes, as in the case of Mother Teresa, where the process began less than two years after her death.
* The candidate's local Bishop opens a cause, or case, and gathers evidence of their life and deeds including witness testimonies.
* The Bishop submits the evidence and a report - the positio - to the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints for review.
VENERABLE
* If the congregation finds the candidate lived a suitably holy life their application is sent to the Pope, who grants them the title venerable.
BLESSED
* To reach beatification, a miracle attributed to the candidate must be proven. For example, if a person with a fatal disease prays to the candidate then is suddenly cured.
* Vatican experts examine the patient to determine if there is a medical explanation. If not, a miracle is announced and the candidate is bestowed the title 'blessed'.
* Martyrs - people killed for their faith - can be beatified without a miracle but do need one to be canonised.
CANONISATION
* A second miracle is verified.
* The Pope conducts a special public mass during which he says a Latin prayer proclaiming the candidate a saint.
Australian Associated Press
