William Joseph Chaminade's Canonization Process

History of the Process for the Glorification of William Joseph Chaminade

The Progression of Our Founder's Cause

– Compiled by Brother John Samaha, S.M. Cupertino, CA, USA January 22, 2005

Diocesan Levels

A. Diocesan Processes

1909-1912 in Bordeaux, France

1909-1912 in Vitoria, Spain

B. Interrogation Commissions

1910 in Auch and Paris, France

1910 in Malines, Belgium

C. 1911-1914 Examination of his writings

D. 1911-1912 Process on the Absence of Public Veneration

Vatican City/Rome

Early Processes

December 13, 1916: Decree recognizing the orthodoxy of the writings of the Servant of God
May 18, 1918: Decree introducing the cause in Rome
June 7, 1919: Decree recognizing the absence of public veneration
June 22, 1926: Decree declaring the validity of the diocesan processes
July 21, 1931: Congregation examines the virtues of the Servant of God; decides to hold another session
November 24, 1936: In the second session the Congregation returns the case to the Historical Section for the study of some particular points

Towards Declaration of Venerability

1968: Father Vincent Vasey, S.M., Postulator of the cause, asks the Historical Section to complete the requested study.
July 14, 1970: Historical Section completes its report
February 6, 1973: A special meeting of the consulting theologians of the Congregation is favorable to declaring the heroicity of the virtues of the Servant of God
June 5, 1973: The cardinals and bishops of the Congregation agree on the heroicity of virtues
October 18, 1973: Pope Paul VI ratifies the decision and in an official decree announces to the world that “on the strength of all the evidence, the Servant of God William Joseph Chaminade practiced to a heroic degree the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity toward God and toward his neighbor, and also the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude.” Declared Venerable.

Towards Declaration of Beatification

1995-1996: Exploratory process in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the reported miracle guided by Father Enrique Torres, S.M., Postulator General
October 11, 1996: Decree validating the diocesan inquiry about the reported miracle
November 20, 1997: First medical consultation by the Congregation
November 19, 1998: Second medical consultation
January 14, 1999: Medical Council considers the healing of Elena Otero as “scientifically inexplicable”
March 1999: Exposition of the Miracle presented to the Congregation
May 11, 1999: Congress of Theologians and Promoter of the Faith considered the cure of Elena Otero as a miracle attributed to Venerable Chaminade
October 5, 1999: Ordinary Congregation of Cardinals and Bishops of the Congregation voted unanimously in favor of the miraculous healing of Elena Otero
December 20, 1999: Promulgation of the Decree of Approbation of the miracle
September 3, 2000: Pope John Paul II beatifies Blessed William Joseph Chaminade in Rome