The beatification process opened in the Mechelen-Brussels archdiocese in 1952 and had to collect witness testimonies and other evidence related to Dehon's work and life before the informative process could close. The cause remained inactive until 21 October 1988 after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints validated this process and then received the Positio in 1990 for assessment. The theologians approved the cause on 30 January 1996 as did the C.C.S. members on 3 February 1997. Pope John Paul II titled Dehon as Venerable on 8 March 1997 after confirming that the late priest had lived a life of heroic virtue.