Two New American Saints, Three Notable Firsts

Two New American Saints, Three Notable Firsts | Brian O'Neel | Catholic World Report

Blessed Marianne Cope and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha will be canonized in October

On Saturday, December 19, 2011, the Holy See announced His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI had approved the Congregation for the Causes of Saints' findings that miracles attributed to seven blesseds were authentic. This clears the path for their canonization and thus the recognition of these men and women as saints of the universal Church.

Of course, while the creation of new saints is important and exciting, it is nonetheless true that reviewing and, where appropriate, approving the Congregation's findings is a normal part of the Pope's duties. It happens several times each year.

This time was especially noteworthy, however, because of several reasons.

For starters, it was the first time the list had more Americans on it than those from other nations.

Second, it marked the first time the list had more than one American (two people and both New Yorkers, no less).

And, finally, it marked the first time the Church had marked a Native American for canonization.

The Americans in question are Bl. Marianne Cope and Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha, the better known of the two. As just one example of the fervor with which the news out of Rome was met, "The bells have been ringing here all morning," said Rev. Mr. Ron Boyer, deacon at the parish in Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada, the village where Bl. Kateri died.

Just who were these remarkable women?

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