BEATIFICATION
A person advances in the steps of being declared a SAINT by
the Catholic Church - first, declared Venerable, second Blessed,
and third Saint. Emilie Tavernier Gamelin has reached the 2nd
step and was declared BLESSED on 7 October 2001, by Pope John
Paul II in St. Peter's Square in Rome.
(see photos below)
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- The historical research was initiated in
1960, to prepare documents for Rome.
- On May 31, 1981, Emilie's Cause was officially
introduced at Notre Dame Church in Montreal, her parish.
- In 1983, after a historical commission studied
the records, a diocesan inquiry heard witnesses and submitted to Rome
the sincere request that the holiness of the life of the Servant of
God be recognised.
- In 1989 the vice-postulator presented to the
Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, a large volume of evidence
about the life and virtues of Emilie, who gave herself to the cause
of the poor and destitute.
- After study, Roman historians and theologians
asked Pope John Paul II, to recognise the heroic virtues of Emilie Tavernier
Gamelin. The Holy Father proclaimed her Venerable on December 23, 1993.
- Next a miracle was studied. Emilie herself
does not work miracles but people pray to her asking her to present
to God the trusting prayers addressed to her. This was accomplished!
The request for a cure on behalf of a 13-year-old child, suffering from
a fatal illness, was granted in 1983!
- In 1997, this medical case was sent to the
doctors in Rome, who, in 1999, pronounced a unanimous positive judgement
on this case considered as inexplicable by medical science.
- On December 18, 2000, Pope John Paul II recognized
the virtue and intercession of Emilie, as well as the authenticity of
the miracle, and accepted to present her to God's people as BLESSED.
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