The cost of sainthood

Congregation for Saints' Causes announces plan to contain fees

People visit the tomb of Blessed John XXIII in St. Peter's
Basilica at the Vatican. (Photo: CNS/Paul Haring)

Plenty of historical, theological, and medical research is involved the Church's thorough process of investigating someone's life and declaring them a saint. Ever wonder how much that costs?

Having a holy son or daughter formally recognized as a saint by the universal church could easily cost a quarter of a million dollars. But experts say the church isn't selling halos; it's compensating professionals doing serious research, so that a pope can solemnly declare his certainty a person is in heaven.

U.S. Catholic officials traditionally have used $250,000 as a benchmark for the cost of a cause from the initial investigation on a diocesan level to a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

"The costs are relatively low compared to what similar services would cost in the real world," Father Marc Lindeijer, SJ, said.

Where does this money go, anyway? Read the full article here.