What are the phases of the beatification process?

Diocesan phase:

• The process begins in the diocese in which the person died. A bishop can initiate the process no earlier than five years after the death (exceptions are possible, e.g., in the case of John Paul II – "Santo subito!").
• Documents, testimonies and writings about the life, virtues and reputation of holiness are collected.
• The person receives the title “Servant of God” (Servus Dei) once the process officially begins.

Vatikanphase:

• The collected documents will be forwarded to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican.
• Experts (theologians, historians) examine the person's life and virtues. If the person has lived the Christian virtues in an exemplary manner, they are certified as having "heroic virtue" and are declared a "Venerable Servant of God" (Venerabilis) by the Pope.
• Beatification usually requires a miracle that is due to the person's intercession.

Beatification:

• After confirmation of a miracle, the Pope declares the person a "blessed" (beatus/beata). They may be publicly venerated in certain regions or communities.
• For canonization, another miracle is necessary, which occurs after the beatification.

Canonization:

• Upon confirmation of a second miracle, the person is declared a "saint" (Sanctus/Sancta). Saints may be venerated throughout the Church worldwide.

What role does postulation play in the process of canonization?

Postulation is the office within the General Curia responsible for promoting and coordinating the causes of beatification and canonization before the Holy See. This office is exercised by the (General) Postulator and his or her collaborators.

Your tasks include:

• Collection of evidence: documentation of life, virtues, writings and testimonies about the person.
• Coordination: Working with the diocese and the Vatican to advance the process.
• Representation of the cause: The postulation ensures that all requirements are met and presents the case to the Congregation.
• Financing: The postulation often covers the costs of the process, which can be high (e.g. for travel, experts, documentation).

A postulator is the person responsible for leading the cause. There is a diocesan postulator (during the initial phase) and a Roman postulator (for the Vatican phase).

The postulator in the beatification process of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche is Monsignor Pier Giorgio Debernardi, Bishop Emeritus of Pinerolo.

The postulator must draft a position on the case, following a prescribed structure and incorporating all documents. The position is prepared in Rome under the supervision of the Congregation, with the Congregation's historians and theologians providing objections and additions as necessary.

Once completed, the Positio is then presented to the Plenary Assembly of the Congregation, which then issues a final vote. The Prefect of the Congregation submits this vote to the Pope, who then signs the decree on the degree of heroic virtue.

At the time, the postulator, Monsignor Pier Giorgio Debernardi, wrote the two volumes of the very extensive and richly annotated Position on the case of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche, which he dutifully presented in Rome. With the vote of the relevant cardinals, all of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche's writings were approved, and in 2006, it was declared that she had lived all the virtues heroically.

The postulator is also the person ultimately responsible for the process and can be contacted in connection with all matters (questions, answered prayers, etc.).

LINK: Monsignor Pier Giorgio Debernardi

What is the significance of the various honorary titles

in the context of canonization?

• Servant of God (Servus Dei): First stage in the process. It examines whether the person has led a holy life. The title indicates that the process has begun.

• Venerable Servant of God (Venerabilis): The person has lived the Christian virtues to a heroic degree throughout their life, but no miracles have yet been confirmed. Public veneration is not yet permitted. However, during this phase, private prayers for beatification and for the intercession of the Venerable Servant in specific matters are an important contribution of the faithful.

• Blessed (Beatus/Beata): After confirmation of a miracle, the person is declared beatified. They can be publicly venerated in certain regions, communities, or orders (e.g., through festivals or prayers).

• Saint (Sanctus/Sancta): After confirmation of another miracle, the person is canonized. Saints are role models for the entire Church and may be venerated worldwide. Their feast day is included in the liturgical calendar.

What is the significance of answered prayers and miracles

at the canonization?

• Answered prayers: These are a sign that the deceased person is interceding in heaven. Believers pray to the person (e.g., "Servant of God" or "Venerable Servant of God"), and if an unexplained positive outcome occurs, this is investigated.

• Miracle: A miracle is an event that cannot be scientifically explained and is attributed to the intercession of a person. These usually involve healings (e.g., sudden recovery from incurable diseases).

The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints examines miracles through a panel of doctors, theologians, and other experts. They confirm whether the event is scientifically inexplicable and solely related to the person's intercession.

• A miracle is required for beatification (except for martyrs, who can be beatified without a miracle).

• For canonization, another miracle is necessary, which occurs after the beatification.

What is the current status of the beatification process

by Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche?

The following chronology provides an overview of the current status of the beatification process.

1932

• March 25: Reburial of the remains of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche from the cemetery of Vische to the monastery of Bethany of the Sacred Heart

1933 (beginning of the diocesan phase)

• October 31: The Tribunal for the Beatification Process is established in the Chancellery of the Diocese of Ivrea.
• December 8: In a pastoral letter, Bishop Matteo Filipello announces the opening of the beatification process to the priests and faithful of his diocese, as well as to the members of the Work of Infinite Love.

1953 (beginning of the Vatican phase)

• December: Transfer of the process to the Congregation of Rites in Rome

1973

• December 1: The Congregation for the Causes of Saints issues a decree recognizing all the writings of the Servant of God, Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche.

2006

• June 26: Pope Benedict XVI confirms the degree of heroic virtue. Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche may now be venerated privately as a Venerable Servant of God (Venerabilis Dei Servus) and included in prayer intercessions.

2007

• May 14 (death day of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche): The mortal remains of the Venerable Servant of God, Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche, are transferred to the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Vische.

After Pope Benedict XVI recognized the heroic virtue of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche by decree on June 26, 2006, we are invited to turn to the Venerable Servant in all our needs and concerns. A recognized miracle would further pave the way for beatification.

For a miracle to be recognized by Rome, clarity in the attribution of the answer to prayer is necessary. Therefore, please address any specific request exclusively to Venerable Servant Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche.

The best way to do this is to use the prayer for the beatification and request for the intercession of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche.

Prayer for the beatification of

Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche

O Infinite Love, who lives in the Heart of Jesus, make yourself known to men so that they may love you as you desire to be loved. We thank you for your Venerable Servant Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche, whom you called to reveal your unfathomable love and mercy to priests and to point men to the priesthood. We ask you: crown your work by glorifying your Venerable Servant Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche. Through her intercession, grant us the graces we earnestly ask for, and, under the guidance of the Pope, bring about unity of minds and hearts in the world in the light of your truth and in the peace of your love. Amen.

This prayer can also be found in the text booklet for the Bethany Hour on Priests' Thursday under the "Portfolio" menu item. There is also another prayer for the beatification available for download.

Commitment to prayer is one of the opportunities available through Challenge 26/33. You can learn about other opportunities for support on the path to beatification and how you can get involved personally or together with others in the beatification submenu "Challenge 26/33."