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One aspect of the canonization process of the Servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney that many Knights of Columbus find intriguing is the requirement of miracles. One miracle must occur before the beatification, at which time the candidate will be given the title “Blessed.” The second miracle must take place after the beatification and is required before proceeding to the canonization. In that ceremony the Blessed is declared a saint.
In Father McGivney’s case, there have been several reported miracles. The nature of these reported miracles and their details can only be made public after the Church makes its judgment regarding their authenticity. This process allows us to respect the Church’s authority and protect the privacy of those involved in any reported miracle. Once the Church has announced its decision, it is then possible to make the details of the miracle known.
Why is there so much interest in miracles? A miracle is a sign from God that manifests his divine power and calls the Christian faithful to conversion. When God miraculously intervenes in a human situation, we are called to respond with deeper faith and more profound humility. During his life on earth, Jesus performed many miracles. These became signs of his divinity as well as signs of his love and mercy. He raised the dead, cured the sick and cast out demons. Christ’s resurrection is the greatest of all miracles. As St. Paul reminds us, it is the foundation of our Christian faith (cf. 1 Cor 15). Modern miracles are the continuation of the risen Lord’s power. He sends his Holy Spirit to intervene in human history, even in our own time.
Most miracles in canonization cases today are healings, though not all. Miracles of resuscitation and the spontaneous generation of limbs are also recorded. In any healing, the restoration of health must be whole and complete, without any aid of medical intervention; it must be clearly attributable to God’s grace. For example, the reported miraculous healing of a woman suffering from liver cancer would be dubious if she had received some type of chemotherapy or radiation treatment earlier in her illness.
The world of science is called upon to investigate these reports, and it must be clear that there is no medical or scientific explanation for the healing event. A complete record of the entire medical history of the case is gathered and becomes part of a report that is sent to Rome. Once in Rome, medical experts examine the case to determine its merit. A positive judgment regarding any reported miracle is sent to the Holy Father.
Moral miracles such as the conversion of a person or the success of a religious movement are not considered proper subjects for reported miracles. Such events are hard to prove and may not be permanent.
Only the pope can decide to advance a candidate’s beatification or a canonization. He looks for a sign from God, a miracle, as an indication that it is indeed God’s will that a Servant of God be named “Blessed” or declared a saint. A miracle is sometimes called the digitus Dei, a Latin phrase meaning the “finger of God.”
We are in a time of waiting and praying. We have made our report to the Vatican. With faith and hope we look to the day when Father Michael J. McGivney will be raised to the honors of the altar.
To report a favor you attribute to Father McGivney's intercession, visit www.fathermcgivney.org.
Dominican Father Gabriel B. O’Donnell is postulator of the cause for sainthood of Father Michael J. McGivney.
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