The Cause of Marcellin Champagnat, canonized in 1999
On 18 April 2024 we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Marcellin. In order to give some context to this memory, what follows is a review of the process of the cause leading up to the canonisation in 1999.
The first postulator of the Cause was Father Claude Nicolet SM (1812-1912), Procurator of the Fathers and other branches of the Society of Mary.
The ordinary process was opened in the diocese of Lyon on 21 July 1888 and closed on 22 December 1891. This was followed by an examination of the writings (31 January 1892-2 April 1894) and of the absence of public veneration [“No culto”] (20 November 1894-11 May 1895).
The decree of approval for the writings was issued on 12 December 1895 and the decree of validity of the “No culto” process on 3 July 1897.
The decree introducing the case in Rome was dated 25 May 1896.
This was followed by launching two Apostolic Processes, the first on public recognition of his sanctity (from 7 April 1897 to 24 July 1899), approved by a decree on 10 December 1900 (Circulars 18 May 1901, vol. X), and the second on his virtues (from 7 April 1897 to 11 January 1902), which obtained a decree of approval on 12 December 1903.
After the presentation of a paper, Positio super virtutibus, a meeting of pre-preparatory personnel was held on 3 May 1910, then the preparatory group itself on 12 March 1912, and the general congregation on 22 June 1920. The decree on the heroicity of virtues was published by Pope Benedict XV on 11 July 1920.
The cause passes to the Marist Brothers
In 1923, responsibility for this cause was transferred to the Marist Brothers when Brother Emery (Acts of the 1932 Chapter. AFM) was appointed postulator.
An interesting note in a document in the archives of the postulation states: “While the Marist Fathers were in charge of the Postulation, it was we Marist Brothers who paid all the bills relating to the Cause to the Sacred Congregation of Rites and to the lawyer” (Le Procure Général des frères Maristes à Rome: précis historique – AFM Dossier 225919 ADM-150-01).
At the end of Br Emery’s mandate as postulator, two cures were investigated. The first was the cure of Mr John Ranaivo of cerebrospinal meningitis in Antsirabe (Madagascar) and the second was the cure of Mrs Georgina Grondin of a malignant tumour in Waterville (Maine, USA). The diocesan process in Antsirabe began on 9 September 1947 and ended on 13 April 1948. The diocesan process in Waterville began on 14 January 1948 and ended on 9 February 1948.
When Br. Alessandro di Pietro began as postulator, he found the witness statements and documents of the alleged miracles attributed to Fr Marcellin Champagnat to be poorly documented. He asked for new documents to be added to the dossier and for supplementary processes to be carried out. The request was accepted. These were conducted between 1952 and 1953.
On 16th October 1953, the decree of validity of the processes carried out in Portland and Antsirabe was obtained. The following year the Positio Super Miraculis was drawn up and presented to the Congregation of Rites. It was studied by the doctors of the Congregation. On 5 February 1954 the Superior General in a Circular Letter announced that a preliminary examination by four doctors appointed by the Promoter of the Faith of the two miracles was favourable.
On 18 March 1954, the first meeting of the College of Physicians of the Sacred Congregation of Rites was held to examine the two miracles presented. On 26 May of the same year, a second meeting of the College of Physicians took place, with a favourable vote.
The preparatory group for the examination of the miracles took place on 16 November 1954, with a favourable vote. On 20 April 1955, at the Hermitage (France), the official recognition of the Remains of Champagnat took place. On 3 May 1955, the General Congregation for the examination of the miracles was held: a favourable vote. On 19 May 1955, the decree Super Tuto was signed. Finally, on 29 May 1955, the Beatification Ceremony took place. Furthermore, on 23 May 1958, the Sacred Congregation of Rites issued the brief approving the readings of the Office and the prayers proper to Blessed Marcellin Champagnat
Towards the canonization
It was Brother Gabriele Andreucci who took the steps leading to the canonization of the Founder. In Uruguay, Br. Heriberto Weber Nellessen had been cured of a lung problem after the whole province and all the students of the Marist schools in Uruguay were invited to pray a novena to the Founder.
On 20 May, 1992, the Revisa Summarii was held. On 11 September, a first medical expert was consulted and on 27 January 1993 a second medical expert .
The case was submitted for a first official medical consultation on 1 April 1993, which resulted in a suspended vote and a request to submit additional information.
On 25 November 1993, the case was again submitted to the medical committee and received 4 negative votes (out of 5).
The postulator lodged an appeal to have it re-examined and to allow a doctor representing the Marists to be present during the consultation. This appeal was dated 28 February 1995.
The appeal was allowed on 3 March 1995. The new medical examination took place on 26 June 1997 and was approved by 5 votes (out of 5).
On 20 February 1998 a session of theologians met and voted 1 negative and 6 affirmative. On 1 April 1998 the appointment of the spokesperson was requested and on 30 April the Record of Proceedings and vote was stamped and delivered.
On 8 May 1998 the decree appointing the spokesperson was issued: Card. Henri Schwery. The plenary meeting of cardinals and bishops took place on 2 June 1998 and the following day the decree Super Miraculo was issued.
The ordinary public consistory was held on 9 January 1999. On 18 April 1999, the canonisation of Saint Marcellin Champagnat was celebrated in Rome. canonization photos
Statue of Jiménez Deredia
On the occasion of Marcellin’s canonisation, the Costa Rican Ambassador to the Holy See, Javier Guerra Laspiur, donated a statue to St. Peter’s Basilica, in order to complete the series of Founders.
The sculptor who designed the piece was Jiménez Deredia. It is located on the side of the Piazza di Santa Marta. It was blessed by Pope St. John Paul II on 20 September 2000.