The Process of Canonization and the Church's Understanding of Saints

The podcast episode explores the process of canonization in the Catholic Church and delves into the Catholic understanding of saints. Canonization is the official recognition by the Church that a person is worthy of veneration and can be incorporated into public worship. The process involves opening a cause by the Diocesan Bishop, collecting testimonies and information about the person's life, vetting by theological and medical commissions, and finally approval by the Pope. The episode emphasizes that canonization is not about making someone a saint, but rather about uncovering their sanctity and affirming their presence in heaven. It also highlights the importance of miracles in the canonization process as a divine affirmation of the person's sanctity.