Centre for the Cause
Status of the Cause of Canonization of Venerable
Mother Élisabeth Bruyère
In 1977, Bishop Joseph-Aurèle Plourde, Archbishop of the Diocese of Ottawa, addressed to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican, an official request to introduce the cause of the beatification and canonization of Mother Élisabeth Bruyère.
In 1983, the request was accepted (Nihil Obstat), and the work continued on the drafting of the Positio, a document that includes an exhaustive biography of the Servant of God and demonstrates her reputation for holiness by the presentation of her virtues.
In 1999, the Positio was received at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. A study was made by historians who examined her biography and by theologians who recognized that the candidate had heroically practiced the theological, cardinal and moral virtues.
In 2018, a commission of cardinals ratified the reports, and finally, Pope Francis recognized, by a decree, the heroicity of the virtues practiced by Mother Bruyère and declared her Venerable.
What is the meaning behind the expression HEROICITY OF VIRTUES?
These are not particularly onerous or difficult acts, they are simple acts of everyday life. The difference lies in the deep motivation behind their realization. It recognizes a motive of faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, strength and temperance. This virtuous disposition must be steadfastly maintained, despite adversity and obstacles encountered throughout life. We are not talking about impeccability or lack of fragility, but about the obvious presence of these values in the actions of this person.
What distinction do you make between VENERABLE and BLESSED or SAINT?
For Venerable Mother Élisabeth Bruyère to be beatified, the Church requires that a miracle be attributed to her intercession as a sign that God confirms that she is blessed. Another miracle would be required for her to be recognized as a saint.
What do we mean by the word MIRACLE?
Only a combination of several criteria makes it possible to authenticate a miraculous recovery. These are the things to look for in a patient:
- a serious and incurable physical condition
- a prognosis without hope of recovery
- a recovery that cannot be attributed to medicine
- a recovery attributable to urgent prayer through the intercession of a servant of God or a blessed person
In the event of a patient's recovery, it is first and foremost for scientists to decide whether the recovery is inexplicable in human terms. In fact, their responsibility is to ensure that the latter is: spontaneous, complete, lasting and without recurrence. Once their task is accomplished, it is up to the Church to declare the miracle of healing.
Why does the Church require miracles in order to grant a decree of beatification or canonization?
St. John Paul II himself gives us the reason for this: "Such facts are like a divine seal which confirms the holiness of a servant of God whose intercession was invoked, a sign from God which raises and legitimizes the worship given to Him and warrants the teaching given by his or her life, testimony and actions."