Realizing that my focus has been, and continues to be the history of the clergy in Indiana, I also want to reiterate that my bigger focus is on the history of the Catholic Church in Indiana. With that in mind I want to repeat a story from the Catholic News Service, dated April 28th. This is indeed Good News!!!
Pope clears way for canonization of founder of Indiana sisters’ order
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI cleared the way for the canonization of Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin, the 19th-century foundress of a religious order and numerous schools in Indiana.
During an April 28 private meeting with head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, the pope signed a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of the French-born nun.
At the same meeting, the pope recognized a miracle clearing the way for the beatification of Father Basil Anthony Moreau, founder of the congregations of the Holy Cross.
Born in France’s northern province of Brittany October 2, 1798, Mother Theodore traveled to the United States as a missionary in 1840 at the request of the French-born bishop of Vincennes, Ind.
Mother Theodore, who had been superior of the Sisters of Providence at Ruille-sur-Loire in France, founded the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She and her companions also started Indiana’s first boarding school for young girls.
Before Mother Theodore died May 14, 1856, she set up 10 other Catholic schools throughout Indiana.
Vatican officials at the sainthood congregation affirmed in February that the curing of an eye ailment of a Sisters of Providence employee had been deemed a miracle. Pope Benedict’s acceptance of the miracle marked the last step needed for canonization.
In February, Sister Ann Margaret O’Hara, the congregation’s general superior, said a canonization ceremony could be held as early as this fall.
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