Catherine's Canonisation Cause

The Cause for the Canonization of Catherine McAuley Enters a New Phase

By Celine A. Quinio (Institute Communications Office of the Americas)

The cause for the canonization of Catherine McAuley enters a new phase which Mercy International Association (MIA) members have decided to approach with a sense of urgency. The appointment of Sister Anne Hannon (Ireland) to the position of Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Catherine McAuley has brought about a revitalization of efforts towards canonization. On missioning Anne to her new ministry, she was given a two-fold task by the Central Team of the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland -

• to be proactive in enthusing the sisters and others to promote an awareness of the life, vision and virtues of Catherine among members of the congregation throughout the world, as well as among the public; and
• to be active in encouraging prayer to Catherine on behalf of the sick, which could result in the miracles we need for her beatification and canonization.

The work of promoting Catherine's cause began in 1975 when Sister Angela Bolster (Ireland) was asked by Archbishop Ryan to assume total responsibility for the task.

Angela took on the task and proceeded to visit communities throughout the world and speak on Catherine McAuley. During this time, she also published three books on Catherine McAuley: Catherine McAuley in Her Own Words; My Song is of Mercy and Justice; and Catherine McAuley, Venerable for Mercy. Angela also compiled a historical report on the cause. Deliberation of the report by the Irish Episcopal Conference resulted in a petition for Pope Paul VI to formally open the cause . Upon the request of Monsignor Hanly, Postulator of the Cause, the Nihil Obstat of the Holy See for the introduction of the cause was granted on June 16, 1978 . In 1982, Angela was appointed Vice Postulator for the Cause of Catherine McAuley, the first woman to be accepted for the position by the Sacred Congregation for Causes. The Positio Super Scriptis of the theological censors which was written by Angela was published and carried the Nihil Obstat of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. All 14 consultors who examined the Positio gave positive reports on Catherine's spiritual qualities, her practice of heroic virtues, and her stature as a contemporary model of Christian living.

In 1990 Catherine was declared Venerable by decree of Pope John Paul II. Since then the progress of the cause has been dormant leading some to conclude that perhaps Catherine does not want to be canonized. "But canonization is more for the inspiration of the faithful than for her glorification," explains Anne.

"The purpose of canonization is to set before the faithful fresh and unique examples of Christian holiness. It is the Holy Spirit who moves the faithful to recognize holiness and thereby establishes an authentic reputation for sanctity. At the end of the process, it is again the Holy Spirit who provides the necessary 'divine signs' in the form most often, of inexplicable physical cures. If God wants a Servant of God canonized, it will happen."

How can we help to promote the cause for the canonization of Catherine? "While we may not give public veneration to a Servant of God before beatification, we ought to promote private devotion to Catherine, in season and out of season, confidently expecting that the divine signs which the Church requires will be given," says Anne. For Catherine to be beatified, a miraculous cure is needed. A further miracle is needed for her canonization. (Please see prayers.)

It will also be helpful to gather stories about Catherine to show how Catherine's life influences people. Her life of generous service to the needy, her deep faith and her trust in providence have been the inspiration not only for thousands of Mercy sisters but also for their associates, families, friends, colleagues, co-workers and companions in ministry. Please e-mail your stories to annehannonrsm@eircom.net.

"With Catherine McAuley's vision as our shared inheritance MIA feels called at this time to promote the vision in ways that are creative, life-giving, appropriate to the times and sufficiently compelling to claim Catherine as a canonized saint," stated MIA Admninistrator Sister Ethel M. Bignell (New Zealand).

Reprinted with permission from VITA , June 2004 (Vol.13, No.6)

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