The act of founding or establishing; an established practise or custom; an organization for the promotion of public welfare, such as a church, school, hospital, or asylum. Canonical institution is the act by which an ecclesiastical authority confers a benefice on a candidate presented by a third person enjoying the right of presentation; also episcopal approbation granted to a beneficiary for the exercise of his ministerial functions as a whole, in view of his undertaking the care of souls.