Sainthood Causes

The Latest

Sister Cecilia María of the Holy Face.

Argentine nun remembered for her smile considered for sainthood

Feb 17, 2024

By Julieta Villar

The edict has been signed that begins the process prior to the opening of the cause of canonization of Sister... Read more

The Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, whose cause for beatification is being considered by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

Canonization cause advances for ‘God’s architect,’ Antoni Gaudí

Dec 5, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Antoni Gaudí, who died in 1926 at age 73, was a modernist and naturalist architect best known for the massive... Read more

Patrick Norton tells his incredible story of meeting who he believes was Sister Annella Zervas at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in the Saint Benedict Monastery cemetery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Around 150 people gathered for an event where a letter was read from the bishop about steps being taken to look into opening a cause for Zervas. Oct. 15, 2023.

Minnesota bishop issues letter about steps needed for Sister Annella Zervas’ cause

Oct 29, 2023

By Patti Maguire Armstrong

The letter from Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Crookston Diocese was presented to let people know what the diocese is... Read more

Mother Mary Lange.

Mother Mary Lange, founder of first African American religious congregation, declared venerable

Jun 22, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Mother Mary Lange founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence more than three decades before the Civil War. Read more

Henri de Lubac

French bishops vote to open sainthood cause of Henri de Lubac

Apr 1, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Henri de Lubac is considered by many to be one of the most important theologians of the 20th century. Read more

The sainthood causes of Father Miguel Costa y Llobera (1854–1922) and Sister Maria Margherita Diomira of the Incarnate Word (1651–1677) were advanced by Pope Francis on Jan. 19, 2023.

Meet the six newest venerable servants of God in the Catholic Church

Jan 19, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In a decree signed on Jan. 19, Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtue of an Italian stigmatic, four 20th-century priests,... Read more

Wiktoria Ulma with six of her children.

A married couple with seven children to be beatified by the Catholic Church for martyrdom by Nazis

Dec 17, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Józef and Wiktoria Ulma can now be beatified with the couple’s seven children (including one unborn). Read more

Michelle Duppong, Cora Louise Evans, Mother Margaret Mary Healy-Murphy

U.S. bishops advance 3 women ‘transformed by God’s love’ toward sainthood

Nov 16, 2022

By Katie Yoder

The U.S. Catholic bishops voted to advance the causes for sainthood for three American women on Wednesday. Read more

Michelle Duppong, about whom the Diocese of Bismarck has opened an investigation with a view to a cause for beatification.

Meet the 3 women the U.S. bishops are considering for sainthood

Nov 13, 2022

By Katie Yoder

The U.S. Catholic bishops are preparing to vote on whether to advance the causes for sainthood for three American women. Read more

Pope Francis beatified Pope John Paul I in St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 4, 2022.

Pope Francis beatifies John Paul I, pope for 33 days

Sep 4, 2022

By Courtney Mares

In one of the shortest pontificates in papal history, John Paul I gained a reputation for his humility and his... Read more

A stained glass window depicting Blessed Marie Rivier in the motherhouse of Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in France.

Pope Francis approves miracle attributed to a French nun who will be made a saint

Dec 13, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The miracle attributed to Rivier, who can now be canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church, involved the healing... Read more

A pilgrim attends the canonization of St. John Henry Newman in Rome, Oct. 13, 2019.

Vatican regulates the role of postulator in saints’ causes

Oct 19, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The new regulations are designed partly to prevent conflicts of interest. Read more

The Franciscan friar Fr. Placido Cortese (1907-1944).

Pope Francis advances sainthood cause of Italian Catholic priest who saved Jews in WWII

Aug 30, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Fr. Placido Cortese has been dubbed “the Italian Fr. Kolbe.” Read more

Robert Schuman in August 1949. Credit: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-19000-2453 (CC-BY-SA 3.0)

EU founding father Robert Schuman declared 'venerable' by Pope Francis

Jun 19, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has declared venerable the French statesman Robert Schuman, known as a key “founding father” of the European Union. Read more

Fr. Patrick Peyton. Courtesy of Holy Cross Family Ministries.

Why hundreds are still drawn to the powerful legacy of the 'Rosary Priest'

Jun 3, 2021

Nearly three decades after his death, Father Patrick Peyton still receives fan mail. Read more

A canonization ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, Oct. 15, 2017.

Pope Francis advances causes of China missionary, sister killed by Maoist guerrillas

May 22, 2021

The pope advanced the causes of seven people. Read more

Mass was held in St. Peter's Square for the canonization of 35 new saints Oct. 15, 2017.

Pope Francis advances causes of nuns who died in Ebola outbreak

Feb 20, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has recognized the heroic virtue of three Italian religious sisters who died from Ebola in Africa during the... Read more

Pope Francis.

Pope Francis advances sainthood causes of priests with early and late vocations

Nov 24, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis advanced Tuesday the sainthood causes of several men and women, including two Italian priests of the 20th century... Read more

Fr. Patrick Ryan. Public domain.

Sainthood inquiry continues for Tennessee priest who died in yellow fever epidemic

Oct 3, 2020

By Kevin J. Jones

The canonization cause is progressing for Father Patrick Ryan, a priest who sacrificed his life in a nineteenth century yellow... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 16, 2019.

Pope Francis recognizes miracle attributed to Italian laywoman who died in 1997

Sep 30, 2020

Pope Francis advanced the sainthood cause Tuesday of an Italian woman who died in 1997 after touching the lives of... Read more