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saint, and only he can become the patron o churches, towns and countries. His relics and pictures may be displayed openly in the church and carried about in processions. His name is worthy of inclusion in litanies, and his feast day is fixed. Canonization, which is irrevocable, and is to be regarded as a papal decision ex cathedra, is always preceded by long drawn out investigations, concerned especially with the new miracles which have followed beatification and without which no canonization can be petitioned for. This investigation is conducted even more strictly, with a still larger number of judges and hearings, experts and witnesses. Three consistories must debate the matter, and all the cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops and bishops resi- dent in Rome must cast their votes for the affirmative before the Pope, acceding to the three-fold petition of the Cardinal-procurator in- stanter, instantius, instantissimc (urgently, more urgently, most ur- gently) summons the divine assistance in three successive prayers and then solemnly proclaims the elevation of the new saint to the altars of the Church. The Pope himself celebrates the High Mass, St. Peter's gleams with candles and ornaments, and an image of the saint is surrounded with wreaths of lights. Reminiscences of the Jewish Temple are to be seen in this unusual ceremony. When huge wax candles, bread and wine, turtle doves and young birds are borne before the enthroned Pontiff in a festive offertory procession, they seem like a thanksgiving by the Congregation and therewith by the whole Church for the gift of the new saint.

It need hardly be said that canonization is not a kind of judgment of merit undertaken in the divine stead. It is concerned only with veneration on earth, and presupposes that the saint has been received into the company of the elect. The veneration of saints consists of prayer to them and is always far different from the veneration of God, which is adoration. Faith looks upon the saint not as someone who can help by reason of his own power, but only as a supplicant at the divine throne, & helper by reason of God's omnipotence. The saints are the "Church Triumphant" in Heaven, and according to the Creed of the Council of Trent the "Communion of Saints" sees in them its own transfigured members, offering consolation to the "Church Mili- tant" of the faithful on earth. This explains the jubilation and festive pomp of the canonization ceremony, and also the human warrant of

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