By Maximilian Dumicich, for The Observer

A 2,000 page “positio,” or position paper, was presented in front of the eyes of Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City on April 14. According to the Catholic News Service, the presentation was made by Monsignor Joseph R. Giandurco, Vice Postulator of the Cause of Canonization of Cardinal Cooke, Patricia Handal, the coordinator of the Cardinal Cooke Guild, New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, and Baltimore Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien.

After the presentation, the 2,000 page tome was properly filed into the Congregation for Saint’s Causes, the first step in pending the verdict of sainthood or beatification.

But what does one have to do to become a saint? According to www.catholic.org, it is a three step process that is reviewed by the Vatican. First, “the process begins after the death of a Catholic whom people regard as holy.” If it is cleared by the panel of Vatican theologians and approved by the Pope the candidate is called “venerable.”

The next step is to have significant evidence of the candidate performing one miracle after they have passed away. This proves that the person is truly interceding for us from heaven. If confirmed, the candidate is now called beatified or “blessed.”

Finally, the candidate can only be canonized as a “saint” if they have performed more than one miracle. “The title of saint tells us that the person lived a holy life, is in heaven, and is to be honored by the universal Church.” The process “does not ‘make’ a person a saint;” says the website, “it recognizes what God has already done.”

As for Cardinal Cooke’s case, according to CNS, the Archbishop of Baltimore Edwin F. O’Brien regarded him as a “holy man and people just knew it.” O’Brien went on to say that “at a very difficult time in the life of the church, he used to say his goal was to move the whole church forward, but together.”

Terence Cooke was born in 1921, and passed away in 1983. He became archbishop of New York City in 1968 and held his position in the church until his death. The current archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan served under Cardinal Cooke during the 1970’s and early 80’s as vice chancellor, communications director, and personal secretary. Archbishop Dolan oversaw the final stages of diocesan investigation for Cardinal Cooke’s candidacy.

In order for the cardinal to reach beatification, Patricia Handal and the Cardinal Cooke Guild are preparing a paper. The report will state evidence of a healing that took place in Rome, believed to be manifested through the intercession of the late cardinal.

Though Catholics can get caught up in the excitement of this very process, we must not forget that the power, grace, and majesty of God is what changed and sanctioned Cardinal Cooke as well as all the other saints to do the great and holy things that they have accomplished in this world.

The version of this article that appeared in print on Tuesday, April 27th contained an error. The Observer sincerely apologizes to Msgr Giandurco.