Pope Francis has paved the way for several founders of religious orders and laypeople to move closer to beatification, declaring them «venerable».
At an audience Tuesday with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, the Pope authorized the congregation to promulgate decrees of «heroic virtue» on the following causes:
– Antonio Ferreira Vicoso (1787-1875), Portuguese Bishop of Mariana
– Saturnino Lopez Novoa (1830-1905), Spanish diocesan priest, co-founder of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly
– Joseph-Auguste Arribat (1879-1963), French professed priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco
– Mary Veronica of the Passion (nee Sophie Leeves) (1823-1906), British professed nun of the Order of the Descalced Carmelites, foundress of the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel
– Elena da Persico (1869-1948), Italian lay foundress of the Secular Institute of the Daughters of the Queen of the Apostles
– Gaetana of the Blessed Sacrament (nee Carlotta Fontana) (1870-1935), Italian superior general of the Poor Daughters of St. Cajetan
– Marcello Candia (1916-1983), Italian layperson
