VATICAN CITY, DEC. 19, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI on Monday met with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, and authorized the promulgation of decrees concerning miracles, martyrdom and heroic virtues for a number of causes.
Miracles were recognized for seven who are already beatified, meaning canonization is just a step away, once an ordinary public consistory is held. The seven are:
— Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth and of the Congregation of the Humble Sister Servants of the Lord (1841-1913).
— Jacques Berthieu, French martyr and priest of the Society of Jesus (1838-1896).
— Maria del Carmen (born Maria Salles y Barangueras), Spanish foundress of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching (1848-1911).
— Marianne Cope, born Barbara, German religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Syracuse U.S.A. (1838-1918).
— Kateri Tekakwitha, American laywoman (1656-1680).
— Pedro Calungsod, Filipino lay catechist and martyr (1654-1672).
— Anna Schaffer, German laywoman (1882-1925).
Miracles were also recognized for an additional five who are currently in the classification of “Servants of God”:
— Louis Brisson, French priest and founder of the Oblates of St. Francis of Sales (1817-1908).
— Luigi Novarese, Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Silent Workers of the Cross (1914-1984).
— Maria Luisa (born Gertrude Prosperi), Italian abbess of the convent of the Order of St. Benedict of Trevi (1799-1847).
— Mother St. Louis (born Maria Luisa Elisabeth de Lamoignon, widow of Mole de Champlatreux), French foundress of the Sisters of St. Louis (1763-1825).
— Maria Crescencia (born Maria Angelica Perez), Argentinean professed religious of the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Orchard (1897-1932).
Martyrs
The martyrdom of the following was declared.
— Nicolaus Rusca, Swiss diocesan priest, killed in hatred of the faith (1563-1618).
— Luis Orencio (born Antonio Sola Garriga) and 18 companions of the Institute of Brothers of Christian Schools.
— Antonio Mateo Salamero, diocesan priest, and Jose Gorostazu Labayen, a layman killed in hatred of the faith in Spain in 1936.
— Alberto Maria Marco y Aleman and eight companions of the Order of Carmelites of the Ancient Observance, and Agustin Maria Garcia Tribaldos and fifteen companions of the Institute of Brothers of Christian Schools; all killed in hatred of the faith in Spain between 1936 and 1937.
— Mariano Alcala Perez and 18 companions of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, killed in hatred of the faith in Spain between 1936 and 1937.
Virtues
The heroic virtues of the following was declared.
— Donato Giannotti, Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of Sisters Handmaidens of the Immaculate Conception (1828-1914).
— Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus (born Henri Grialou), French professed priest of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and founder of the Institute of Notre-Dame de Vie (1894-1967).
— Alphonse-Marie (born Elisabeth Eppinger), French foundress of the Congregation of Sisters of the Blessed Saviour (1814-1867).
— Marguerite Lucia Szewczyk, Polish foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sorrowful Mother of God – Seraphic Sisters (1828-1905).
— Assunta Marchetti, Italian co-foundress of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles (1871-1948).
— Maria Julitta (born Teresa Eleonora Ritz), German professed sister of the Congregation of Sisters of the Redeemer (1882-1966).
— Maria Anna Amico Roxas, Italian laywoman and foundress of the Society of St. Ursula (1883-1947).
