canonized adj : accorded sacrosanct or authoritative standing [syn: canonised, glorified]

Canonize \Can"on*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Canonized; p. pr. & vb. n. Canonizing.] [F. canoniser or LL. canonizare, fr. L. canon.. See Canon.]
1. (Eccl.) To declare (a deceased person) a saint; to put in the catalogue of saints; as, Thomas a Becket was canonized.
2. To glorify; to exalt to the highest honor. Fame in time to come canonize us. --Shak.
3. To rate as inspired; to include in the canon.[R.]

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Canonization (or canonisation) is the act by which the Catholic Church or another religious group declares a deceased person to be a saint and is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process.

Canonization, whether formal or informal, does not make someone a saint: it is only a declaration that the person is a saint and was a saint even before canonization.

The first persons whom the Christian Church honored as saints were the martyrs. Pious legends of their deaths were considered to affirm the truth of their faith in Christ, and formalization and celebration of these legends served to legitimize and propagate the doctrines of the Church and serve as examples.

The Latin Rite Canon of the Mass contains the names only of martyrs, along with that of the Virgin Mary and, since 1962, that of Saint Joseph.

• A look at new saints canonized by Pope Francis
  VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has made hundreds of new saints at his first canonization ceremony in St. Peter's Square. Here is a look at the people receiving the Catholic Church's highest honor: Read more on this news related to 'Canonized'
• Pope canonizes first saints from Colombia, Mexico
  Pope Francis canonized the first saints of his papacy -- including the first ever honored from Colombia and Mexico -- at a Mass on Sunday at St. Peter's Square, according to the Vatican website. Read more on this news related to 'Canonized'
• Pope canonizes first saints
  Pope Francis canonized the first saints of his papacy -- including the first ever honored from Colombia and Mexico -- at a Mass on Sunday at St. Peter's Square, according to the Vatican website. Read more on this news related to 'Canonized'