Waiting for a miracle

God alone makes saints, according to an explanation of the canonization process written by Resurrectionist Father Andrew Apostoli.

Before the Catholic Church recognizes them by canonization, it waits for a sign from God, in the form of a miracle.

Supporters of the cause for sainthood of Father Augustus Tolton are waiting for just such a sign, said Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry, diocesan postulator of the cause of Father Augustus Tolton.

“Periodically, the cardinal and I receive notes from people from all over who testify to having ‘favors’ received from God through Father Tolton’s intercession,” Bishop Perry said in email. “These favors are everything from recovery from minor illnesses, to finding employment, family difficulties, varied anxieties etc. No alleged miracles have been brought forth as yet that will pass scrutiny of the Congregation for Causes of Saints — in other words, an absolute cure that known medical science cannot explain. We are still waiting and hoping for this heavenly endorsement.”

Actually, it takes two miracles to make a saint in most circumstances — one for beatification, in which the person is declared “Blessed,” and a second for canonization.

Tolton, who died in Chicago in 1897, was the first acknowledged African-American priest in the United States, a former slave who studied and was ordained in Rome after no American seminary would have him, only to be sent back to his home state to serve. Cardinal George opened the cause for his sainthood in 2011, and it has already cleared several hurdles.

To be canonized, a saint must have lived a life of heroic virtue, well beyond the ordinary practice of Christian virtue, according to Apostoli. Such virtue would include prayer, perseverance through trials, patience in suffering, works of mercy, especially toward the poor and the suffering and zeal in the spreading of God’s love and mercy, he wrote.

The Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints has agreed that there is enough evidence that Father Tolton had such virtue to declare him a “Servant of God” and ask the archdiocese to continue its inquiry into his life and virtues. That marks the official opening of the cause.

Now Bishop Perry, as the archdiocesan postulator, and a postulator in Rome, are working to gather testimonies and documents about Father Tolton, get them translated and put them into a book called a “position,” which is studied by theologians, a group of cardinals and finally the pope. If the Holy Father agrees that Father Tolton appears to have shown heroic virtue, he will be declared “Venerable.”

Only after Father Tolton is declared venerable will the Congregation for the Causes of Saints begin to examine possible miracles. Most approved miracles involve the cure of an incurable disease or condition; medical specialists are called in to certify that there is no scientific or medical explanation for the cure, Apostoli wrote.

If the medical specialists are satisfied, the theologians and cardinals once more weigh in, before taking the proposed miracle to the pope. If he agrees, the cause proceeds to beatification. At this point, Father Tolton would be called “Blessed,” and his memorial could be celebrated in the areas where he ministered, including, most likely, Chicago.

If there is another miracle — one that occurs after beatification — then the cause moves on to sainthood.