Steps to Canonization
Steps to Canonization
• The Archdiocese of Baltimore Petitions Rome: "Servant of God"
• The Documents Approved: "Venerable"
• A First Miracle accepted: "Blessed"
• A Second Miracle Accepted: "Saint"
Where are we now
What is the cause now?
This is a frequently asked question.
The cause officially opened April 28, 1991 when then Archbishop William Keeler publicly announced that the Archdiocese of Baltimore
had permission from Rome to begin the investigation into the heroic life and deeds of charity of Sister Mary (Elizabeth Clarisse) Lange, OSP henceforth "Servant of God".
Documents attesting to the life of heroic deeds and works of charity were formally submitted to the Ordinary of the Archdiocese August 4, 2005. In January, 2006, the documents were received by the Sacred Congregation of the Saints at Rome.
In 2005, the Roman Postulator, Fr. Wieslaw Spiewak, C.R. was appointed Postulator to review, summarize and submit Mother Lange documents to the Congregations of the Saints for approval. This process continues. If and when accepted, Mary Lange will be designated "Venerable".
In the early 1990’s a woman with life threatening Sepsis recovered. Her healing, attributed to prayers through the intercession of Mother Lange, was submitted to Rome. In 2007, the Roman Postulator requested further confirmation of the medical evaluation from two physicians.
Physicians evaluated and reviewed the healings. They submitted their finds to Sister Annette Beecham, OSP, Superior General, who in turn will submit the documents to Rome. We await the results of its submission. If and when accepted, Mary Lange will be designated "Blessed".
In 1996, testimony of a second healing through the intercession of Mother Mary Lange has been reported. A religious sister suffering from post ocular complications was cured without the further recommended surgery (procedure). A medical description and the opinion of inexplicable healing by the attending ophthalmologist/surgeon has been offered in writing. A review and the opinion of a second ophthalmologist has been sought. We await the evaluation of the second physician. If and when accepted, Mother Lange will be designated "Saint".
IT MUST BE NOTED: It is essential to continue gathering data and reports of other healings attributed through the intercession of Servant of God Mary Lange. Reports of healings must be documented and reviewed by two medical experts in the diocese where the healing allegedly occurred, but once in Rome, physicians there also review the cases and affirm or deny justification for acceptance. Only God knows when and upon whom the blessing of a verified healing will be accepted by the Sacred Congregation of the Saints in Rome.
Documentation of Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange Canonization Process
DATE |
BACKGROUND: |
Circa 1784 |
Elizabeth Clarisse Lange birth of Haitian ancestry |
Circa 1812 |
Elizabeth Clarisse Lange arrives in Baltimore |
1818 |
Elizabeth Clarisse Lange opens private school for children of color |
1828 |
Elizabeth Clarisse Lange, et al. make novitiate |
1828 |
Elizabeth Clarisse Lange establishes St. Frances Academy ( School continues in operation.) |
1829 |
Mother Mary Lange makes public vows to God – Church establishes the first congregation of Catholic women of color in the world |
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DATE |
DEVOTIONS TO MOTHER LANGE: |
1947 |
School and convent: named for Mother Mary Convento y Escuela, Santiago de Cuba |
1976 |
Deferment of heart surgery through intercession of Mother Mary ( Theodore “ Teddy” Wilson) |
1978 |
Private devotion and prayer cards approved ( Teddy Wilson) |
1981 |
Oblate Sisters of Providence Spiritual Renewal Program ignites interest about the foundress Mother Mary Lange. |
1982 |
100th anniversary of the death of Mother Mary Lange celebrated |
1988 |
Proposal to investigate life of Mother Lange prepared for Oblate Chapter of Affairs |
DATE |
PROCESS TOWARD CANONIZATION: |
June 7, 1989 |
Publication of Teddy Wilson interest in promoting the cause of Mother Lange in the Catholic Review |
June 23, 1989 |
Affirmation by the Oblate Sisters of Providence Chapter of Affairs to submit the cause for Canonization of Mother Mary Lange to the Church |
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October 7, 1989 |
Introduction of the cause of Mother Lange to Archbishop William Keeler and his first public announcement of her heroic life and extraordinary service to God and the Church |
October 16, 1989 |
Revision and approval of the revised prayer leaflet of Mother Mary Lange |
November 23, 1989 |
Limited distribution of the revised prayer begun in the community for favors through the intercession of Mother Mary Lange |
December 11, 1989 |
Formal invitations sent out to form the Mother Mary Lange Guild |
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Establishment of Chapter One to support the work of the Mother Mary Lange National Committee |
December 21, 1989 |
Members of the Oblate community invited to contribute seed money in order to begin the promotion of the cause of Canonization of Mother Mary Lange |
January 19, 1990 |
First meeting of the Mother Mary Lange Guild National Committee |
February 27, 1990 |
Pilgrimage to places made holy by ministries of Mother Mary Lange |
February 28, 1990 |
Acceptance by Fr. John Bowen as the Archdiocesan Postulator |
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Sister Virginie Fish, OSP apponted as Vice Postulator by the Superior General |
June, 1990 |
Postulatory letter to Bishop of the region to seek consultation regarding the cause of canonization by Archbishop Keeler |
February 12, 1991 |
Mother Mary Lange inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame |
April 28, 1991 |
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1992 |
Response to Love written by Mary M. Lannon and published by the Joshephite Pastoral Center |
May 26, 1993 |
Installation of the Mother Lange Guild National Committee |
February 1, 1998 |
Liturgical Drama Presentation –The French Soul written and performed by Jewell Robinson |
April 22, 1998 |
Meeting of the Historical Commission with the Archdiocese Tribunal to determine how the commission proceeded with the investigation of documents |
April 9, 1999 |
Archdiocese Tribunal informed the Historical Commission of the procedure to be used to ascertain the authenticity of favors (miracles) of healings received |
February 13, 2000 |
Monument at 610 George Street unveiled by Mayor Martin O’Malley, William Cardinal Keeler and the Oblate Sisters of Providence. This was the site in 1829 Mother Mary Lange and the Oblate Sisters of Providence primarily served “children of color” through education. |
June 12-16 |
Delegation to Haiti to research life and roots of Mother Mary Lange then Elizabeth Clarisse Lange |
August 5, 2001 |
Dedication of the Stained Glass Window honoring Mother Mary Lange, OSP in the Basilica of National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. |
February 24, 2002 |
Dedication of the Mother Mary Lange Kiosk for the Promotion of the Cause for sainthood by His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, MD |
September, 2003 |
Interrogatories gather from multiple sources to testify to life and contributions of Mother Mary Lange |
December 16, 2004 |
Documents gathered and sent to Rome to the Congregation of the Saints |
April 30, 2005 |
Mandate of Appointment as Roman Postulator of Fr. Wieslaw Spiewak, CR in the Cause of Servant of God, Mary (Elizabeth) Lange from Superior General Sister Annette Beecham, OSP with the consent of Council |
November 16, 2005 |
Official Opening of the Mother Mary Lange Cause at the level of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints in Rome |
June 24, 2005 |
One of several healings submitted to His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler |
July 2006 |
Information received from Roman Postulator that documents received were in perfect order to be summarized and submitted to Congregation of Saints. |