he Vatican has put to rest rumors that Blessed Teresa of Calcutta will be canonized at some time during the Holy Year of Mercy, saying only that the Pope still needs to approve a miracle attributed to her intercession.
The Catholic News Agency (CNA) is reporting that Fr Ciro Benedettini, vice director at the Holy See Press Office, confirmed that there is “a project, a study being carried out” on the potential future canonization of Blessed Mother Teresa; however, there is no truth to the rumors that she will be canonized on September 4, 2016, which would be the eve of the 19th anniversary of her death in 1997.
The Vatican is in the process of evaluating a possible miracle that could bring about her canonization. It took place in 2008 when a man from Santos, Brazil was inexplicably cured by eight abscesses in his brain that required an operation.
Father Elmiram Ferreira told a Brazilian newspaper that he had been ministering to the family at the time of the illness.
“I saw the pain and the suffering of all of them because he was starting a new life (he was recently married) and the illness delayed many of their dreams. I had a lot of faith in the Great Mother Teresa and I always celebrate the Holy Mass in the community of the Sisters of Charity. The way in which she confronted pain and suffering of Christ himself inspired me to also comprehend the suffering of that family.”
Father Ferreira gave the family prayer to ask for Blessed Teresa’s intercession and told them to pray without ceasing.
“Mother Teresa turned into their comfort and strength during that long time. So when his complete recovery was verified and the doctors could not explain it, I understood that there was the hand of the Blessed.”
The process of evaluating that miracle is ongoing with representatives from the Vatican visiting Brazil this past summer to investigate the incident.
Even though Pope Francis expressed a desire to canonize Blessed Teresa during the Holy Year of Mercy, this can only be done if the process is completed in time.
Vatican Press Secretary, Father Federico Lombardi, has already stated that this could be possible, but no final decision can be made at this time.
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