Suzanne Aubert takes another step towards sainthood

thumb_The display about Mother Suzanne Aubert at St Patrick's Cathedral-X2_1024We have just heard that the Theologians examining the cause of Suzanne have accepted the ‘writings, spirituality and goodness of Suzanne Aubert’.

In 1997 the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference agreed to support the first part of the formal process, called the “Introduction of the Cause of Suzanne Aubert”. Then a historical consultation (Posito) was completed and presented for theological consultation by a panel of theologians. The panel of theologians in the Congregation of Saints have examined the Posito and judged that the case has merit.

They will now send their recommendation to the Bishops and Cardinals who work in the Congregation of Saints. If they approve the recommendation a Decree of Heroic Virtues is sent to Pope Francis for his final judgment.

A decree on the heroic nature of Suzanne Aubert’s virtues will be issued and she will be given the title of Venerable. These steps could be completed by early next year.

The next step in the process is the approval of a posthumous miracle, which would lead to Suzanne Aubert’s Beatification. A person who is beatified is given the title “Blessed”

After beatification the Church looks for a second posthumous miracle before proceeding to canonisation. The consent of the Holy Father to the decision of the Congregation results in a Decree of a Miracle.

Canonisation would then be possible