Beatification and canonization process in 1914

The process of beatification and canonization has undergone various reforms in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. For current practice, as well as a discussion of similar processes in other churches, see the article on canonization. This article describes the process as it was in 1914, before the promulgation of the Codex Iuris Canonici (Code of Canon Law) of 1983.

The causes of martyrs were considered somewhat differently from those of confessors and virgins.

In order to secure beatification, the most important and difficult step in the process of canonization, the regular procedure was as follows:

This procedure was followed in all cases of formal beatification in causes of both confessors and martyrs proposed in the ordinary way ("per viam non cultus"). Those proposed as coming under the definition of cases excepted ("casus excepti") by Pope Urban VIII were treated differently. In such cases proof is required that an immemorial public veneration for at least 100 years before the promulgation in 1640 of the decrees of Pope Urban VIII had been paid the servant of God, whether as a confessor or martyr. Such cause was proposed under the title of "confirmation of veneration" ("de confirmatione cultus"); it was considered in an ordinary meeting of the Congregation of Rites. When the difficulties of the Promotor of the Faith had been satisfied, a Pontifical decree confirming the cultus was promulgated. Beatification of this kind was denominated "equivalent" or "virtual".

The canonization of confessors or martyrs might be taken up as soon as two miracles were reported to have been worked at their intercession, after the pontifical permission of public veneration as described above. At this stage it was only required that the two miracles worked after the permission awarding a public cultus be discussed in three meetings of the congregation. The discussion proceeded in the ordinary way; if the miracles were confirmed, another meeting (super tuto) was held. The pope then issued a Bull of Canonization in which he not only permitted, but commanded, the public cultus, or veneration, of the saint.

...
Wikipedia