Q: In the process of canonizing someone, what is the difference between Blessed and Venerable? I am very fond of Venerable Matt Talbot (1856-1925), who achieved sobriety after years of battling alcoholism. Do you have any information about the status of his cause?
A: The progression of titles is Servant of God (cause has been completed on the diocesan level and accepted in Rome), Venerable (a person's life and writings have been investigated and found to reflect heroic virtue), Blessed (can be venerated liturgically in certain places or by certain groups of people) and Saint (can be venerated liturgically throughout the world).
A person moves from Venerable to Blessed in one of two ways: he or she is judged to have died because of "hatred for the faith" or he or she is judged to have been involved in the miraculous cure of an individual. A second miracle is needed to be declared a saint.
In our world of instant communication, the local-versus-worldwide distinction regarding veneration has become harder to maintain. Blessed Padre Pio (1887-1968) was venerated far beyond Italy and the Capuchin family before his canonization in 2002. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) inspires some people much more than many canonized saints. Both were widely admired before they were beatified.
Matt Talbot was declared Venerable in 1975. A miracle is needed before he can be beatified. A Venerable Matt Talbot Resource Center is available on the Internet.
Source: http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Aug2010/Wiseman.asp#top