Pope authorizes decrees on the causes of saints

Pope Francis on Wednesday authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate a special decree on the heroic virtues and the confirmation of the cult from time immemorial of the Servant of God Michael Giedrojć, regarding him as Blessed.  This act of the Pope declaring a person Blessed without the need for a beatification ceremony is called “equipollent” beatification, or “equivalent” beatification. Michael Giedrojć, a professed layman of the Order of St. Augustine, was born in Giedrojce (Lithuania) around the year 1420 and died in Krakow (Poland) on May 4, 1485. 

The Pope also authorized 15 other decrees regarding miracles, martyrdom and heroic virtues of 23 people, bringing them a step closer to sainthood. 

They include 9 men and 6 women, 11 of them martyrs.  Two decrees are on miracles attributed to the intercession of two Italian laywomen, clearing them for beatification.  Three decrees are on martyrdom and 10 on heroic virtues. 

Below is the complete list of decrees:

Miracles

A miracle has been attributed to the intercession of the Italian Venerable Servant of God Edvige Carboni, a laywoman.  She was born in Pozzomaggiore (Italy) on 2 May 1880 and died in Rome on 17 February 1952

A miracle has been attributed to the intercession of the Italian Venerable Servant of God Benedetta Bianchi Porro, a laywoman.  She was born in Dovadola (Italy) on 8 August 1936 and died in Sirmione del Garda (Italy) on 23 January 1964

Martyrdom

The martyrdom of the Spanish Servants of God Angelo Cuartas Cristóbal and his 8 companions.  The students of the Seminary of Oviedo were killed in hatred of the faith in Oviedo (Spain) between 1934 and 1937 during the Spanish civil war.

The martyrdom of the Spanish Servant of God Mariano Mullerat i Soldevila, a layman and father of a family.  He was born in Santa Coloma de Queralt (Spain) on 24 March 1897 and was killed in hatred of the faith at El Pla, near Arbeca (Spain) on 13 August 1936

The martyrdom of American Servant of God James Alfred Miller, a professed Brother of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.  He was born in Stevens Point (USA) on September 21, 1944, and was killed in hatred of the faith in Huehuetenango (Guatemala) on February 13, 1982

Heroic virtues

The heroic virtues of the Italian Servant of God Giovanni Jacono, titular Archbishop of Mocisso and former Bishop of Caltanissetta. Born in Ragusa (Italy) on March 14, 1873, he died there on May 25, 1957

The heroic virtues of Filipino Servant of God Alfredo Maria Obviar, the first Bishop of Lucena and Founder of the Congregation of Missionary Catechists of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus (sisters).  He was born in Lipa (Philippines) on 29 August 1889 and died in Lucena (Philippines) on 1 October 1978

The heroic virtues of Italian Servant of God Giovanni Ciresola, a diocesan priest who founded the Congregation of the Poor Handmaids of the Precious Blood - Cenacle of Charity.  He was born in Quaderni di Villafranca (Italy) on May 30, 1902, and died in Quinto di Valpantena (Italy) on April 13, 1987

The heroic virtues of Italian Servant of God Luigi Bosio, a diocesan priest.  He was born in Avesa (Italy) on April 10, 1909, and died in Verona (Italy) on January 27, 1994

The heroic virtues of Italian Servant of God Luigi Maria Raineri, a professed cleric of the Congregation of Clerics Regular of Saint Paul, or the Barnabites.  He was born in Turin (Italy) on 19 November 1895 and died in Crespano (Italy) on 24 November 1918

The heroic virtues of the Ecuadorian Servant of God Raffaella of the Passion (born Raffaella Veintemilla Villacís), foundress of the Congregation of the Augustinian Daughters of the Most Holy Saviour.  She was born in Quito (Ecuador) on March 22, 1836, and died in Lima (Peru) on November 25, 1918

The heroic virtues of Spanish Servant of God Maria Antonia of Jesus (born Maria Antonia Pereira y Andrade), a professed nun of the Order of Discalced Carmelites.  She was born in El Penedo (Spain) on October 5, 1700, and died in Santiago de Compostela (Spain) on March 10, 1760

The heroic virtues of Spanish Servant of God Arcangela Badosa Cuatrecasas, a professed religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.  She was born in Sant Joan les Fonts (Spain) on 16 June 1878 and died in Elda (Spain) on 27 November 1918

The heroic virtues of Italian Servant of God Maria Addolorata del Sacro Costato (born Maria Luciani), a professed religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Passion of Jesus Christ.  She was born in Montegranaro (Italy) on 2 May 1920 and died in Teramo (Italy) on 23 July 1954

The heroic virtues of the Italian Servant of God Lodovico Coccapani, a layman of the Secular Franciscan Order.  Born in Calcinaia (Italy) on 23 June 1849, he died there on 14 November 1931