Vatican moves 13 candidates closer to beatification, canonization

January 17, 2011

With a series of nine decrees, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has advanced the causes of 13 candidates for canonization or beatification.

At a private audience with Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation, on January 14, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the release of the decrees, which authenticated three miracles, recognized five martyrs, and attested to the “heroic virtue” of five candidates for beatification.

In addition to recognizing the authenticity of a miracle through the intercession of Venerable John Paul II (1920-2005), the Vatican declared the validity of miracles attributed to the intercession of

Ven. Antonia Maria Verna (1773-1838), Italian foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception

Ven. Giuseppe Toniolo (1845-1918), Italian layman and father

The Vatican decrees also proclaimed the martyrdom of the following, all of whom may now be beatified:

Marija Jula (nee Kata Ivanisevic)

Marija Bernadeta (nee Terezija Banja)

Marija Krizina (nee Jozefa Bojanc)

Marija Antonija (nee Jozefa Fabjan)

Maria Berchmana (nee Karoline Anna Leidenix)

The five were religious of the Institute of Daughters of Divine Charity; all were martyred by Serbian Chetniks in what is now Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1941.

Finally the Congregation recognized the “heroic virtue” that was evident in the lives of five others, including an American priest. The five, who now have the title of “venerable,” will be eligible for beatification if a miracle is attributed to their intercession.

Servant of God Antonio Franco (1585-1626), Italian bishop of Santa Lucia del Mela

Servant of God Franziskus Maria vom Kreuze (ne Johann Baptist Jordan) (1848-1918), German priest and founder of the Society of the Divine Saviour and of the Congregation of Sisters of the Divine Saviour

Servant of God Nelson Baker (1842-1936), American diocesan priest

Servant of God Faustino Perez-Manglano Magro (1946-63), Spanish student and postulant of the Marianist Fathers

Servant of God Francisca de Paula de Jesus (also called Nha Chica) (1810-95), Brazilian laywoman

 

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Further information:

• Decrees Of The Congregation For The Causes Of Saints (VIS)
• The Martyrs of Drina (Kceri Bozje ljubavi)
• Chetniks (Wikipedia)
• Beatification of John Paul is set: May 1 (CWN, 1/14)
• American priest declared venerable (CWN, 1/17)