12 sainthood, beatification causes advance

April 27, 2016

In an April 26 audience with the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis approved the publication of decrees that advance a dozen sainthood causes.

In approving separate decrees on miracles attributed to the intercession of Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco (1839-1910) and Ven. John Sullivan, SJ (1861-1933), the Pontiff has paved the way for the canonization of the former and the beatification of the latter.

Blessed Alfonso Maria Fusco, an Italian diocesan priest, founded the Sisters of St. John the Baptist.

Father Sullivan was son of Sir Edward Sullivan, 1st Baronet, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Known in his priestly life for his prayer and ministry to the poor, Father Sullivan grew up as an Anglican in Dublin, became a Catholic at 35, and was ordained a Jesuit priest at 46.

Pope Francis also approved two decrees of martyrdom, clearing the way for the beatification of

• Archbishop Nikollë Vincenc Prennushi of Durrës (1885-1949) and 37 companions, killed under the Albanian Communist regime between 1945 and 1974
• Father José Antonio Gómez, OSB (1878-1936) and three companions, slain during the Spanish Civil War

Finally, Pope Francis approved decrees on the heroic virtues of eight servants of God, who may now be honored with the title “venerable”:

• Father Thomas Choe Yang-eop (1821-61), a Korean diocesan priest
• Father Sosio (Vincenzo) Del Prete (1885-1952), an Italian Franciscan who founded the Little Servants of Christ the King
• Father Wenanty (Józef) Katarzyniec (1889-1921), a Polish Conventual Francisan
• Mother Emilia Pasqualina Addatis (Maria Consiglia of the Holy Spirit, 1845-1900), the Italian foundress of the Sisters of the Addolorata, Servants of Mary
• Mother María de la Encarnación Carrasco Tenorio (1840-1917), the Spanish foundress of the Franciscan Tertiary Sisters of the Flock of Mary (Rebaño de María)
• Mother Laura Baraggia (1851-1923), the Italian foundress of the Sisters of the Family of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Mother Ilia Corsaro (1897-1977), the Italian foundress of the Little Missionaries of the Eucharist
• Montserrat Grases (1941-59), a Spanish laywoman and member of Opus Dei

 

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Further information:

• Promulgazione di Decreti della Congregazione delle Cause dei Santi (Holy See Press Office)