VATICAN CITY, JULY 7, 2003 (Zenit.org).- With today’s publication of 10 decrees in John Paul II’s presence, the Holy See has taken the decisive step toward the canonization of Blessed Luigi Orione, and the beatification of six other people.
Future saint
The first decree is the recognition of a miracle attributed to the intercession of Luigi Orione (1872-1940). Don Orione, an Italian priest, was the founder of the Small Work of Divine Providence and of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Charity.
Future blessed
Other decrees recognize a miracle attributed to the intercession of four servants of God, opening the way to their beatification. They are:
— Joseph Marie Cassant (1878-1903), French priest and monk of the Order of the Cistercians of Strict Observance (Trappists). He was sanctified in his observance of the monastic rule and the acceptance of tuberculosis, which ended his life at 25.
— Laura of St. Catherine of Siena, nee Laura Montoya y Upegui, Colombian, founder of the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Immaculate Mary and of St. Catherine of Siena (1874-1944). Her passion in life was to take the Gospel to the Indians of her country.
— Anne Katherine Emmerick (1774-1824), German, professed nun of the Order of Regular Nuns of St. Augustine.
— Alberto Marvelli (1918-1946), Italian layman. Young engineer of the Rimini Diocese. He undertook an important work of assistance to the poor during World War II. Committed to the reconstruction of Italy after the war, he was a member of the executive of the Christian Democratic Party. He was known as a man of profound spirituality. He died after being hit by a truck.
Slovakian martyrs
The decrees also recognize the recent martyrdom of two Slovaks. The official recognition of martyrdom constitutes automatically a step toward beatification.
Both Slovaks might be beatified by John Paul II during his September trip to Slovakia, although it has still not been officially confirmed by the Holy See. They are:
— Monsignor Basil Hopko (1904-1976), auxiliary Greek-Catholic bishop of Presov.
— Sister Zdenka, nee Cecilia Schelingova (1916-1955), of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Holy Cross.
Heroic virtues
Lastly, the decrees recognize the heroic virtues of three other baptized persons, thus giving a decisive step toward their beatification (the recognition of a miracle is still lacking).
They are:
— Servant of God Pierre Vigne, French priest of the diocese of Viviers, France, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament (1670-1740).
— Servant of God Maria Maddalena Della Passione, nee Costanza Starace, Italian, founder of the Congregation of the Compassionist Sisters, Servants of Mary (1845-1921).
–Servant of God Eurosia Fabris, Italian, mother of a family, of the Third Order of St. Francis (1866-1932).
