In the process for canonization a number of miracles that can be traced to the intercession of the saint candidate must be verified and they must have no earthly explanation. These miracles help prove that the person is, indeed, in heaven. Usually 2-3 miracles are required during the complete canonization process. In some cases, as in the case of a martyr, some of the miracle requirements can de dropped.
In 1984 Pope john Paul II changed the canonization process so only two miracles are required for canonization. A third miracle is not required.
In the Catholic Church, a candidate for sainthood typically needs to be associated with at least two miracles in order to be canonized as a saint. These miracles are usually attributed to the intercession of the candidate after their death. The miracles are rigorously investigated and verified by the Church before the individual is officially declared a saint.
No, they are different. The stage of beatification is the penultimate step in the canonization process. If the candidate has passed all the scrutinies and a miracle due to the person's intervention has been proven, the person will be beatified and declared as 'Blessed.' The final stage included more investigations and another proven miracle before the candidate is canonized - declared to be a saint.
Normally, one miracle must be proven for beatification and one additional for canonization. Under extraordinary conditions(martyrdom, for example) the pope can drop one miracle from the requirement.
If you are referring to miracles submitted for a cause for canonization, the pope does not investigate. That is left to the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints. They investigate the proposed miracle and interview the people involved. Once they investigate thoroughly, they decide if they feel there was a genuine miracle that could not be attributed to natural causes. They then submit their report to the pope.
For beatification, the candidate needs one miracle and for canonization one additional miracle must be proven. However, the pope may dispense with a miracle, especially in the case of martyrdom.
Santo Domingo de Guzmán led ascetic life and founded religious order. The conditions for canonization are presence of remains and a miracle. His remains were found untouched by decay (ie. remains were also the miracle).
As of early March 2012, Mother Teresa has not been canonized, she has been beatified (declared Blessed), they are still investigating her cause for canonization.
The steps of canonization in the Catholic Church include the investigation of the candidate's life and writings by a diocesan bishop, recognition of heroic virtue by the Vatican, beatification by the Pope after a verified miracle, and canonization after a second miracle is attributed to the candidate's intercession.
We anxiously await Mother Teresa's impending canonization.
Canonization of the Romanovs was born on 1868-05-18.
Canonization of the Romanovs died on 1918-07-17.