Path to Canonization Saint Katharine’s In the Catholic faith before someone is named a saint, there is a process that must be followed. Journey to Canonization Below is an outline of the canonization process. 1858 Katharine Drexel was born Major Stages 1. Servant of God (Venerable) requires that a candidate 1964 lived a life of faith and morals. Cause introduced in Rome 2. Beatification (Blessed) requires an extraordinary by John Cardinal Krol event that is recognizes as miraculous by the Church. 1987 3. Canonization (Saint) requires a second extraordinary event that is recognized by the Church. Declared Venerable on January 26 1988 Steps to Beatification Declared Blessed on November 20 Beatification requires recognition by the Church of an extraordinary event, i.e., one that cannot be explained The “Decree” on the heroicity of the virtues exercised according to the laws of human science and is attributed by the servant of God during her earthly life required to a Divine intervention through the mediation of the Servant of God who has been invoked by the faithful. extensive historical and theological study of her life. Such recognition by the Church has to go through It included sworn testimony of witnesses who knew several successive stages: her and an examination of her complete writings. These passed through a Board of Theologians and a a. The gathering of all the evidence; historical, clinical, documentation, and deposition of witnesses. meeting of the Members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. b. Critical study of all evidence and writing of the “Positio” (position paper) by the Postulator (person 2000 who oversees the Cause) proving the extraordinary nature of the event. Canonized Saint on Journey to Canonization c. Examination of the “Positio” by the Medical Board October 1 of Specialists in the case of a physical event. d. Assessment by the Board of Theologians. Saint Katharine Drexel e. Meeting of the Cardinal and Bishops who are members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. November 27, 1858 — March 3, 1955 f. Decree issued by the Pope that the cure was a miracle. The path to canonization begins at birth. Katharine’s path was founded on a deep love of God and of the Church founded by Jesus Christ for all people. It Canonization Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament was paved with prayer and active concern for the Requires the recognition by the Church of an event that is 1663 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020 oppressed Black and Indian people of the United extraordinary and occurred after the Beatification and is 215-244-9900 x 402 States. She wanted them to be fed by the Eucharist examined in the same steps as in Beatification. and be educated to become leaders in their own www.katharinedrexel.org communities and the nation. Saint Katharine Drexel She grew up surrounded by love, wealth and deep faith. Her parents demonstrated that wealth and love were to be shared During the Canonization, Cardinal Bevilaqua introduces On Jan. 27, 2000, Anthony Cardinal Bevilaqua announce that with those in Robert Gutherman to Pope John Paul II Hearing the Cry of the Poor the miracle of Amy Wall’s deafness healing had been accepted need. by Pope John Paul II. Little Amy stands in midst of her family. After vowing her life to Christ, ...... Beatification . . . .Miracles . . . . Canonization ...... Mother Katharine Robert Gutherman Amy Wall walked the reservations, February 1974 — In the ninth grade Robert Guther- August 1993 — While still a baby, Amy Wall’s hear- rural areas man’s ear began throbbing. He saw an ear, nose and ing threshold was 65 decibels, meaning she could barely of the South throat doctor and received medicine for the pain and hear a loud speaking voice. Tubes were placed in both and the inner infection. The medicine failed to alleviate the condition. ears to determine if fluid buildup caused her deafness. cities. She Robert’s mother brought him to Katharine Drexel’s tomb Almost no fluid was found. talked with to pray. More precise tests were the people SEPTEMBER 1993 — completed at St. Christopher’s Hospital. Her hearing and listened March 1974 — Robert was admitted to St. Cristo- threshold was determined to be 90 decibels. She could as they pher’s Hospital for surgery on his right ear. He had two barely hear shouting. expressed operations, one to relieve mucus behind the ear drum, the other to clean out the disease. The doctors discov- their needs November 1993 — Amy’s mother obtained a second ered that of the three small bones in the ear canal, Robert and hopes. class relic of Blessed Katharine from the Sisters of the had only one. The infection had destroyed the other two Blessed Sacrament. She pressed it to Amy’s ear. The Using her and perforated the ear drum. It was determined he would Wall family began praying to Katharine Drexel for a inheritance, never be able to hear. Another surgery to repair the ear miracle. Amy began attending Katzenbach School for Mother drum was planned. Katharine the Deaf in Trenton, N.J. September 1974 — Meanwhile the Sisters of the established March 1994 — A preschool teacher at Katzenbach Blessed Sacrament had been praying daily with Robert schools across saw dramatic changes in Amy’s response to sound. Tests and his mother. After dismissal from the hospital, Robert the country. showed Amy could hear normally in both ears. She wanted went for a checkup. During the checkup, the doctor real- the students ized that he had a perfect ear drum and normal hearing 2000 — Amy Wall’s healing was accepted as the sec- In 1891, St. Katharine founded the upon testing. ond miracle of Saint Katharine Drexel. Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to to become leaders in the 1988 — Fourteen years later, Robert Gutherman’s heal- serve Christ along side the Black Whoever hears my word and believes in the and Native American peoples. Church and in ing was accepted as the first miracle of Saint Katharine society. Drexel. one who sent me has eternal life. Jn.5:24