Sainthood was a local affair, strictly regulated by bishops, until a thousand years ago, when the Pope began to formalize the process and concentrate the power to create new saints in Rome. Eventually the Church settled on a two-step process. Beatification is the preliminary phase, involving limited veneration. To reach that point a candidate is proposed and then investigated, with a “postulator” assigned to making the case for sainthood and a “devil’s advocate” looking for any negative factors. Once beatified, there must be proof of two miracles associated with the candidate. The Pope makes the final decision.
Still want to try for it? Be good, be very good.
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
