Denver Catholic

3 DENVER CATHOLIC | DECEMBER 24, 2016-JANUARY 27, 2017 In-Depth How to become a SAINT The faithful petition the local bishop to open the cause. If the bishop agrees to open the cause, the candidate is given the title "SERVANT OF GOD". PETITION DIOCESAN PHASE RESULT RESULT After receiving clearance from the Vatican and consulting with the bishops' conference, a team investigates the life, work, writings of the candidate, and any miracles attributed to his or her intercession. A report is sent to Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints. VATICAN PHASE FIRST MIRACLE SECOND MIRACLE RESULT RESULT RESULT The Congregation for the Causes of Saints launches its own investigation. If the Pope believes the candidate lived a heroically virtuous life, he declares this and the candidate is given the title "VENERABLE". One miracle must be attributed to the intercession of the candidate. Once a miracle comes to light, it is investigated where it occurred and then verified by the Congregation for Causes of Saints. A decree is issued to declare the miracle valid. The candidate will then be beatified by the Holy Father, and given the title "BLESSED". To move forward to canonization, a second miracle must be approved. A decree is issued to declare the miracle valid. The candidate will then be canonized, and given the title "SAINT". VATICAN REVIEW RESULT The Congregation for the Causes of Saints reviews the report. If the Congregation believes that the candidate is worthy of further consideration, it initiates its own investigation. A n ex-slave from Hannibal, Mo., who found her way to Denver and the Catholic Church in the late 1800s, is now the first person the Archdiocese of Denver has proposed for sainthood. The canonization process for Denver's "Angel of Charity," Julia Greeley, was oŸcially opened with a special Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immac- ulate Conception Dec. 18. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila celebrated the Mass, during which the oŸcial edict proclaiming Greeley's cause for sainthood was presented before the con- gregation, and members of the historical council and tribunal responsible for investigating her heroic vir- tues were sworn in.¦ "It is a historic moment for the Archdiocese of Denver as we move forward the first of the sessions toward the canonization of the servant of God, Julia Greeley," Archbishop Aquila said during his homily. "It is truly wondrous when one looks at this simple, humble woman – a laywoman who is known because of her deep faith in Christ." David Uebbing, chancellor of the archdiocese, was sworn in Sunday as the vice-postulator of the cause, which means that he will help to oversee the investi- gation. "For the first time in the 129-year history of the Archdiocese of Denver, we have oŸcially begun investigating the possibility that a saint lived in our midst," Uebbing told Denver Catholic. Mary Lesiring, current¦director of the Julia Greeley guild, retraced the life of Julia Greeley at the Mass. An impoverished woman herself, Greeley¦was known for hauling¦goods around in a red wagon to families who were facing hardship, and she often did so using the cover of night so as to avoid bringing shame to those she helped. She would also deliver Sacred Heart pamphlets to the firehouses around Denver, providing spiritual encouragement for those men who were in the dan- gerous profession of being firefighters. The next session of the diocesan phase of the can- onization process will take place Feb. 21. Capuchin Friar¦Father Gene Emrisek¦will be called as a witness to testify for Greeley's reputation of holiness. Father Emrisek founded the Julia Greeley Guild in 2011. When the diocesan phase of the investigation into Greeley's possible sainthood closes, the investigators will send a report to the Vatican with their findings. The Pontifical Commission for the Causes of Saints will then decide whether or not to continue the process.¦ "Simple, humble" Julia Greeley placed on path to sainthood BY AARON LAMBERT aaron.lambert@archden.org | @AaronLmbrt INFOGRAPHIC: HOW TO BECOME A SAINT Ever wondered how some of your favorite saints got that name? This infographic breaks down the Church's process for determining whether or not a faithful disciple of Christ is worthy enough to be deemed a "saint." i Julia Greeley, Den- ver's "Angel of Char- ity," was declared a Servant of God Dec. 18, and could one day become a saint. FILE PHOTO

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