"The Catholic Church has a more complicated process than anyone else on almost any topic," Martin says. "I think it's important for people to know that when we hold up someone for public veneration or as an example, that their life has been thoroughly investigated and looked at by the Vatican."

The process usually begins in the region where the potential saint lived or is buried. After local Catholics show a particular devotion to the person, the bishop opens an investigation into the case or "cause" for sainthood. ...