Miracle approved; parents of St. Therese cleared for canonization in October

March 18, 2015

The Vatican has formally approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux, clearing the way for their canonization in October.

Following closely on reports that Pope Francis plans to canonize Louis and Zelie Martin during the October meeting of the Synod of Bishops, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued a decree on March 18 confirming the miracle.

The Congregation also issued decrees confirming the “heroic virtue” of the following candidates, who will now be eligible for beatification if a miracle is attributed to their intercession:

• Francesco Gattola (1822- 1899), an Italian priest;
• Petar Barbaric (1874-1897), a Bosnian Jesuit novice;
• Mary Aikenhead (1787- 1858), an Irish religious;
• Elisa Baldo Foresti (born 1862), an Italian widow and founder;
• Vincenta of the Passion of the Lord, born Jadwiga Jaroszewska, a Polish religious;
• Juana of the Cross, born Juana Vazquez Gutierrez (1481-1534), a Spanish religious; and
• Maria Orsola Bussone (1954- 1970), an Italian lay member of the Focolare movement.

 

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Further information:

• Promulgation of Decrees by Congregation for Causes of Saints (VIS)
• Pope Francis Approves Canonization of St. Therese's Parents (National Catholic Register)
• Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux will be canonized in October (CWN, 3/4)