How many years after death can a person be considered a saint?

Answer 1

First, you have to die. Once you have been dead at least 5 years a cause

for sainthood can be opened. The local bishop or other religious leader

will assign someone to collect all sorts of documents and conduct

interiews about the life of the candidate. Once they have all the

information, the file will be sent to the Sacred Congregation for the

causes of Saints in Rome. They will study the file and, if it seems the

person exhibited some form of heroic virtue, that person will be declared

a Servant of God and an official Cause for Sainthood will be opened.

More investigations and interviews will be conducted and if the person

passes all favorably, they will be named as Venerable.

Next, more investigations and at least one miracle must be confirmed and

verified due to the intercession of the candidate. If all goes well, the

candidate will then be Beatified by the Pope and receive the title of

Blessed. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is at this stage right now.

In the final stage, more investigations and at least one more miracle must

be verified. Once all that has been done, the file is turned over to the

pope who will make the final decision. It will be up to the pope to

declare a person a saint and then arrangements are made for the official

canonization cerimonies.

This process can take many years, even centuries.

Of course, the person became a saint the moment they entered heaven. The

Church just needs to investigate to make sure the candidate is worthy of

emulation and makes a good role model for future generations.