Miracle Attributed to St. Thérèse's Parents and Blessed Damian of Molokai

From ZENIT

VATICAN CITY, JULY 3, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI authorized the promulgation of decrees attributing miracles to five causes, including that of Louis and Marie-Celie Martin, parents of St. Thérèse (and Bl. Damian of Molokai!).

The Pope received in private audience today Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes. The Holy Father authorized the promulgation of decrees concerning the following causes:

Miracles were attributed to:

-- Blessed, Father Damian de Veuster, Belgian professed priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (1840-1889). (Blessed Father Damian is perhaps one of the more heroic stories of a priest sacrificing everything in order to bring the sacraments and care to the truly outcast and marginalized of society. If you have never seen the movie Molokai, you should do so. It is a very well made film and does a wonderful job of illustrating the life of this incredible priest. I've posted it in the "bookstore" permanently, put will post a link below as well.)

-- Blessed Bernardo Tolomei, Italian founder of the Olivetan Benedictine Congregation (1272-1348).

-- Blessed Nuño di Santa Maria Álvares Pereira, Portuguese professed layman of the Order of Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (1360-1431). A decree recognizing his heroic virtue was also approved.

-- Servant of God Louis Martin, French layman (1823-1894) and Servant of God Marie-Zélie Guerin Martin, French laywoman (1831-1877). (Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux and her four sisters who also entered religious - if canonized they could certainly be the patron saints of married couples and exemplary models of parents promoting discernment amongst their children.)

--Italian Servant of God Francesco Giovanni Bonifacio (1912-1946), killed because of hatred of the faith at Villa Gardossi, Italy, was recognized as a martyr.

And seven more people were recognized as having lived lives of heroic virtue:

-- Stephen Douayhy, Lebanese patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites (1630-1704).

-- Bernardino Dal Vago da Portogruaro (born Giuseppe), Italian archbishop of the Order of Friars Minor (1822-1895).

-- Giuseppe Di Donna, Italian bishop of Andria, of the Order of the Blessed Trinity (1901-1952).

- Maria Barbara of the Blessed Trinity Maix (born Barbara), Austrian founder of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (1818-1873).

-- Pius Keller (born Hans), German professed priest of the Order of St. Augustine (1825-1904).

-- Andrés Hibernón Garmendia (born Francisco Andres), Spanish professed brother of the Institute of Brothers of Christian Schools (1880- 1969).

-- Chiara Badano, young Italian lay woman (1971-1990).