Venerable

The Latest

Venerable Matt Talbot, an Irishman whose journey from alcoholism to the heights of holiness has inspired many who struggle with addiction, is being considered for sainthood in the Catholic Church. 

From alcoholic to future saint: The inspiring conversion of Ireland’s Matt Talbot 

Jun 19, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Venerable Matt Talbot has inspired many who struggle with addiction and is being considered for sainthood in the Catholic Church.  Read more

Dr. Ernesto Cofiño was a pediatrician in Guatemala and father of five.

Guatemalan physician Ernesto Cofiño declared Venerable 

Dec 15, 2023

By Andrés Henríquez

Dr. Cofiño lived the Christian virtues in his family, in the performance of his profession as a doctor, and in... Read more

Father Edward Flanagan with baseball players at Boys Town.

Irish-born founder of Boys Town, Father Flanagan, may soon be declared Venerable

Sep 16, 2023

By Madeleine Teahan

Following a premiere of a film on the saintly priest’s life, CNA spoke to Bishop Kevin Doran about the cause... Read more

Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtue of Brazil’s “Surfer Angel” Guido Schäffer in a decree issued by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on May 20, 2023.

A surfing saint? Pope Francis recognizes the heroic virtue of Guido Schäffer

May 22, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Brazil’s “Surfer Angel” was a seminarian, a doctor, and a surfer who drowned while surfing in 2009 off the coast... Read more

Father Carlo Crespi Croci (1891-1982) holding a crucifix from his ethnographic collection in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Pope Francis puts a priest, three religious women, and two laywomen on path for sainthood

Mar 23, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Each “Venerable” now needs a miracle attributed to his or her intercession to be approved by the Vatican in order... 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

Archbishop Teofilo Camomot

Pope Francis advances sainthood cause of Filipino bishop known for bilocation

May 21, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope also approved the canonization of Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini. Read more

Venerable Augustus Tolton.

Fr. Augustus Tolton, former African American slave, advances toward sainthood

Jun 12, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Fr. Augustus Tolton advanced along the path to sainthood Wednesday, making the runaway slave-turned-priest one step closer to being the... Read more

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Archbishop Sheen decree a 'great day' for US Catholics

Jun 28, 2012

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria says the declaration of Archbishop Fulton Sheen as “venerable” is wonderful news for both... Read more

CNA

Pope advances causes of two possible US saints

May 10, 2012

Two figures in U.S. Catholic history, a 19th century bishop and a 20th century religious sister, moved closer to possible... Read more