Dicastery for the Causes of Saints
The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints (Latin: Dicasterium de Causis Sanctorum), formerly known as the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, is a department of the Roman Curia responsible for overseeing the process of canonization and beatification of saints in the Catholic Church. Established to ensure the rigorous examination of candidates for sainthood, the Dicastery evaluates their lives, virtues, and miracles, presenting cases to the pope for final approval. It also authenticates and preserves sacred relics and determines the granting of the title Doctor of the Church. Rooted in the Church’s mission to promote holiness, the Dicastery plays a vital role in the Communion of Saints by recognizing those who exemplify heroic virtue and fidelity to God.
History
The origins of the Dicastery trace back to the Sacred Congregation for Rites, established by Pope Sixtus V on January 22, 1588, through the apostolic constitution Immensa Aeterni Dei. This body initially handled both liturgical matters and the causes of saints. On May 8, 1969, Pope Paul VI issued the apostolic constitution Sacra Rituum Congregatio, dividing it into two entities: the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which focused exclusively on sainthood causes. In 1983, Pope John Paul II reorganized it further with the apostolic constitution Divinus Perfectionis Magister, streamlining the canonization process and renaming it the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On June 5, 2022, Pope Francis renamed it the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints as part of his reform of the Roman Curia under the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium.
Functions and Responsibilities
The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints oversees all aspects of the canonization and beatification processes, ensuring that candidates meet the Church’s standards for sainthood. Its responsibilities are divided into several key functions.
Advising Bishops
The Dicastery provides norms and guidance to diocesan bishops who initiate causes at the local level. It ensures that proper procedures are followed during investigations into candidates’ lives, virtues, and writings, offering detailed instructions to maintain consistency and rigor across dioceses worldwide.
Evaluating Causes
The Dicastery examines the documentation, known as the positio, submitted from diocesan inquiries. It verifies the authenticity of the process and judges the merits of the cause, assessing whether the candidate demonstrated heroic virtues, martyrdom, or other qualifications for sainthood. This evaluation involves theological and historical experts.
Miracle Authentication
The Dicastery rigorously investigates alleged miracles, typically inexplicable medical healings, through a Medical Board and theological consultants to confirm their divine origin. New regulations for the Medical Board, approved in 2016 by Cardinal Parolin under Pope Francis’s mandate, enhanced the scientific scrutiny of these claims.
Relic Authentication
The Dicastery verifies the authenticity of sacred relics and ensures their proper preservation. It issues instructions, such as the 2017 document replacing the appendix to Sanctorum Mater, to guide dioceses and religious communities in the handling and veneration of relics.
Doctor of the Church
In collaboration with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery recommends candidates for the title of Doctor of the Church to the pope. This title is granted to saints whose writings have significantly contributed to Catholic theology or doctrine.
Financial Oversight
The Dicastery administers funds for causes, ensuring fairness in handling cases regardless of financial resources. In 2014, Pope Francis mandated reforms to promote transparency and equity, allowing causes from less wealthy dioceses to proceed without undue financial burden.
The Dicastery currently oversees approximately 1,600 causes, some dating back to the 15th century, reflecting its ongoing role in the Church’s mission to proclaim holiness.
Canonization Process
The Dicastery follows a structured process for canonization, formalized by Pope John Paul II in the 1983 apostolic constitution Divinus Perfectionis Magister. The process involves two main stages:
Diocesan Stage
The process begins in the diocese where the candidate lived or died. A petitioner, often a diocese or religious order, requests the bishop to open a cause. The bishop investigates the candidate’s life, virtues, and writings, collecting testimonies and documents. If the investigation finds evidence of heroic virtue or martyrdom, the case is forwarded to the Dicastery as a positio.
Roman Stage
The Dicastery reviews the positio through its College of Relators, established in 1983, which includes priests tasked with preparing cases. The process includes:
- Servant of God: The candidate is declared a Servant of God upon the initiation of the cause.
- Venerable: If the Dicastery confirms heroic virtue or martyrdom, the pope declares the candidate Venerable.
- Blessed: For beatification, one miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession is required (except for martyrs). The Dicastery’s Medical Board and theological consultants verify the miracle’s authenticity.
- Saint: Canonization requires a second miracle (for non-martyrs) after beatification, again verified by the Dicastery. The pope then declares the candidate a saint, authorizing universal veneration.
The Dicastery submits its findings to the pope, who makes the final decision. The pope may waive miracle requirements, as has occurred in some cases.
Historical Evolution of Canonization
Before the 12th century, saints were recognized by popular acclamation, often through local veneration of martyrs. Controversies, such as the veneration of a man killed while intoxicated, prompted Pope Alexander III in 1170 to require Vatican approval for sainthood. By the 17th century, Pope Urban VIII reserved both beatification and canonization exclusively to the Holy See, formalizing the process. The Dicastery’s predecessor, the Sacred Congregation for Rites, was established in 1588 to regulate these processes. Significant reforms under Pope John Paul II in 1983 reduced the waiting period for opening a cause from 50 to 5 years, halved the required miracles, and abolished the “devil’s advocate” role, simplifying the process while maintaining rigor.
Theological Significance
The Dicastery’s work is deeply tied to the Catholic belief in the Communion of Saints, which holds that the faithful on Earth, in Purgatory, and in Heaven are united in Christ. By identifying saints, the Dicastery highlights models of holiness who inspire the faithful to pursue the universal call to holiness, as emphasized by the Second Vatican Council in Lumen Gentium. The saints, as “true bearers of light within history” (Deus Caritas Est, n. 40), reflect God’s grace and demonstrate that holiness is attainable in every era and context.
Structure and Leadership
The Dicastery is led by a Prefect, currently Cardinal Marcello Semeraro (appointed October 15, 2020), assisted by a Secretary, Undersecretary, and a College of Relators. It includes bishop and cardinal members, consultors, medical experts, and postulators who compile and advocate for causes. The Dicastery operates from the Palazzo delle Congregazioni in Rome.
Notable Causes
The Dicastery has overseen the canonization of numerous saints, including:
- Saint John Paul II, canonized in 2014, whose cause was expedited due to widespread devotion.
- Saint Mother Teresa, canonized in 2016, recognized for her service to the poor.
- Saint Padre Pio, whose cause highlighted miracles and popular devotion.
The Dicastery also evaluates martyrdom, such as the case of Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, whose heroic virtues were affirmed in 2015.
Misunderstandings and Clarifications
The Dicastery’s rigorous process counters misconceptions that sainthood is arbitrary or superstitious. The thorough investigation of virtues and miracles ensures that only those with proven holiness are canonized. The Church clarifies that veneration of saints (dulia) is distinct from worship (latria), reserved for God alone, and that the Dicastery’s work glorifies God by honoring His grace in the saints.
References
Cite error: <ref> tag with name "CCC" defined in <references> has group attribute "" which does not appear in prior text.
Cite error: <ref> tag with name "Lumen Gentium" defined in <references> has group attribute "" which does not appear in prior text.
Cite error: <ref> tag with name "Divinus" defined in <references> has group attribute "" which does not appear in prior text.
Cite error: <ref> tag with name "Sacra" defined in <references> has group attribute "" which does not appear in prior text.
Cite error: <ref> tag with name "Praedicate" defined in <references> has group attribute "" which does not appear in prior text.
Cite error: <ref> tag with name "Sanctorum Mater" defined in <references> has group attribute "" which does not appear in prior text.
Cite error: <ref> tag with name "VIS1997a" defined in <references> has group attribute "" which does not appear in prior text.
Cite error: <ref> tag with name "VIS1997b" defined in <references> has group attribute "" which does not appear in prior text.
See Also
 The Crucifix, a central symbol of Catholicism | |
| Theology | |
|---|---|
| Trinity | |
| Incarnation | |
| Communion of Saints | |
| Purgatory | |
| Grace | |
| Salvation | |
| Sacraments | |
| Baptism | |
| Eucharist | |
| Confession | |
| Confirmation | |
| Marriage | |
| Holy Orders | |
| Anointing of the Sick | |
| Devotional Practices | |
| Saint | |
| Patron Saint | |
| Doctor of the Church | |
| Intercession of saints | |
| Relics | |
| Feast Day | |
| Rosary | |
| Novena | |
| Liturgy of the Hours | |
| Church Governance | |
| Pope | |
| Roman Curia | |
| Dicastery for the Causes of Saints | |
| Dicastery for Divine Worship | |
| Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith | |
| Liturgical Texts | |
| Roman Missal | |
| Roman Martyrology | |
| See also: Canonization | |