The Cause of Simon Brute

On this day in 2005 Archbishop Daniel Buechlein officially opened the cause for the canonization of the First Bishop of Vincennes, Simon Brutè. Here is the text from the September 16, 2005 edition of the ‘Criterion’, announcing the “Cause”

The Cause of Canonization of
Bishop Simon Brute is opened

Founder of diocese now may be called “˜Servant of God’
By Brandon A. Evans

Underneath the appearance of paperwork, signatures and seals, a moment of historical significance for the archdiocese occurred this week.

On the morning of Sept. 12, Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, along with other officials and the postulator, Andrea Ambrosi of Rome, opened the Cause of Canonization of the Servant of God Simon Brute, the founding bishop the Diocese of Vincennes, which became the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

“œIt’s a historic day because it formally now inaugurates the Cause for the potential canonization of our first bishop,” Archbishop Buechlein said.”It’s a very satisfying thing to be able to refer to him now as the Servant of God Simon Brute.”

The opening session consisted mostly in the taking of oaths on behalf of all those who will be involved in the Cause.

The presence of the postulator is necessary because it is he who will officially advocate on behalf of the Cause.

The next step in the process is for the archdiocese””and members of the historical commission and theological commission of the Cause””to aid Ambrosi in presenting to the Vatican evidence that Bishop Brute led a life of heroic virtue. ¹

The Cause for the canonization of Bishop Simon Brute seems to have slowed to a snail’s pace. This is not totally unexpected because with the volumes of writings that have to be painstakingly researched, translated, etc. Quite simply, these things take time.

One of the things that helps in the process of canonization is public support. Devotion to a particular person is of the utmost importance, but one has to first, learn about that person.

It has been suggested that something similar to “Circles” be formed, just as was done in the cause of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, recently canonized. Like Bishop Brute, Kateri is a person of the distant past. People may have had a hard time identifying with her because she came from a distant time and place. Bishop Brute is a little more contemporary. In Saint Kateri’s case, these circles were formed and included anyone interested, however, they were tied together in the fact that many of them were made up of Native Americans. In the case of Bishop Brute we don’t have that. Regardless, I believe an effort should be made to encourage the creation of these circles. ²

Finally, we can all “pray”, which is perhaps the best means to achieve the goal of seeing Simon Gabriel Brute recognized as the saint he truly is. Here is that prayer:

Prayer for the Canonization of the Servant of God Bishop Simon

Heavenly Father,
source of all that is holy,
in every age, you raise up
men and women who live lives
of heroic love and service.

You have blessed your Church
through the life of Simon Brute,
first bishop of Vincennes
and spiritual director
to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Through his prayer, his intellect,
his love, and his pastoral care,
Simon Brute formed future priests
and guided your Church
in the early days of our country.

If it be your will,
may he be proclaimed a saint.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
our Lord.

“”Amen.

The Archdiocese also has approved a prayer asking for the intercession of Bishop Brute. Here is that prayer:

Father in heaven,
you give us every blessing
and shower us with your grace
through our savior, Jesus Christ,
and the working of the Holy Spirit.
If it be according to your will,
glorify your servant Simon Brute
by granting the favor I now request
through his prayerful intercession:
(Mention your request.)
I make this prayer confidently
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

“”Amen.

(For private use only)

This post originally appeared in September 2015

1. The Criterion – September 16, 2005 [↩]
2. Kateri Circles — A Kateri Circle is a group of women, men and/or youth of all cultures within a parish/ mission who want to belong to a prayer circle/group for the purpose of learning and promoting the saintly life of the Tekakwitha Conference patroness Kateri Tekakwitha, a young Mohawk/ Algonquin woman of the mid-seventeenth century. The Circles abide by the guidelines of the Tekakwitha Conference and encourage members to emulate the life of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha[↩]