In the Catholic Church, "Venerable" is a recognized stage in the process of canonization, the formal declaration of someone as a saint. It follows a thorough Church investigation into the life and virtues of a deceased person, usually a priest, religious sister, or brother. The investigation aims to gather substantial evidence of holiness, including a reputation for virtuous living and potential miracles attributed to their intercession. If the Congregation for the Causes of Saints finds sufficient evidence, the Pope declares the person "Venerable," signifying that the Church has established a heroic level of virtue in their life. This declaration is a significant step but not the final one in the canonization process, which requires further evidence and a declaration by the Pope of beatification and subsequently canonization.