Soon-To-Be Saints?

A couple of interesting stories on causes for canonization.



First, the cause of Monsignor Luigi Giussani is proceeding.  Excerpts:

He's considered one of the most charismatic people in the twentieth century. In 1954, the Italian priest Luigi Giussani founded Communion and Liberation, one of the most active movements of the Catholic Church, operating in 70 countries.

When he died seven years ago, the then Cardinal Ratzinger attended his funeral as a representative of Pope John Paul II.

Yesterday was the first step in the process of beatification: Communion and Liberation formally asked the Archbishop of Milan to open the process of investigating the life, virtues and holiness of Monsignor Giussani...

Next, the discoverer of the causes of Down Syndrome is being considered for beatification. Excerpts:

...Jérôme Lejeune (1926-1994) was a doctor and researcher. The father of modern genetics, he was awarded the Kennedy Prize in 1962 for the discovery of the chromosomal cause of Trisomy 21. Known for having treated and supported numerous patients affected by intellectual disabilities and for his commitment to human life, he was a member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences and recognized with numerous international titles.

In 1997, Pope John Paul II went to pray at Dr. Lejeune's tomb. The Polish Pontiff had appointed the doctor the first president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

Four and a half years after the opening of the cause of canonization of Dr. Lejeune (June 28, 2007), and 18 years after his death, the diocesan process has ended...

Finally, the famous Father Flanagan, founder of Boys Town, is being presented for consideration. Excerpts:

The Omaha Archdiocese is launching a campaign for sainthood for Father Edward J. Flanagan, the Catholic priest who founded Boys Town and whose story was immortalized by an Academy Award-winning movie.

Flanagan dedicated much of his life to ministering to orphans and troubled youth, and is best remembered for establishing in 1917 the Omaha orphanage Father Flanagan's Boys Home...