Process of Beatification of Marthe Robin
Marthe Robin
recognised as « Venerable » by Pope Francis
On 7 November 2014, Pope Francis authorised the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate a decree recognising the
heroic virtues of Marthe Robin (1902 -1981), a French laywoman who founded the
Foyers de Charité. This is an essential step towards beatification.
What is the
declaration of « heroic virtue » ?
A deceased person who has a reputation for sanctity, is
declared veberable when their « heroic virtue » is recognised by the Catholic
Church.
« heroic virtue » is a recognition of the efforts made by
the person to grow in virtue, welcome the grace of God, practice charity,
conform to the Gospel and be faithful to the Church. These criteria are much
more important than extraordinary or even miraculous events that took place
during the Christian life of the person whose cause is being promoted.
In proclaiming Marthe Robin « Venerable », the Church gives
as a model for Christians the way in which she lived the theologial virtues
(faith, hope and charity) and cardinal virtues (justice, prudence, courage and
temperance). The Church recognises the exemplary value of the life of Marthe,
who gave herself entirely to God and to others in a selfless way, in facing
difficult situations with a strength which was not simply human.
How has
Marthe Robin been declared « Venerable » ?
The opening of the
cause
Marthe Robin died on 6 February 1981. Five years later, the
Foyers de Charité asked the Bishop of Valance, Mgr Marchand, to open a process
of beatification. The Bishop chose Fr Ravanel as postulator for the cause. The
Diocesan enquiry which opens the process of beatification of the « Servant of
God » thus began in 1986.
The Diocesan Enquiry
In order to lead this enquiry, two experts (a theologian
and a historian) were appointed in 1988. The first aspect that was studied was
the reputation of sanctity of Marthe Robin among the Christian people. Then
between 1988 and 1996, over 120 witnesses and experts were consulted. At the end
of this process a file of 17000 pages (critical biography, witness testimonies,
writings and other documents) was sent to the Congregation for the Causes of
Saints in Rome. At this stage, Marthe Robin is described as a Servant of God.
The examination by
the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
On 24 April 1998, a decree of the Congregation for the
Causes of Saints accepted the validity of the diocesan enquiry. Documents were
then prepared to be examined in the first instance by historians and theologians
who give a detailed opinion, then to the Promoter of the Faith (popularly known
as the Devil’s advocate) whose role is to present any potential arguments
against beatification or canonisation. Finally the Cardinals and Bishops meet to
discuss the cause. The writing of the
Positio, a 2000 page summary of the beatification file which presented the
results of the diocesan enquiry was finished on 6 May 2010.
Heroic Virtue
The Cardinals and Bishops of the Congregation then decide
whether to submit the cause to the Pope so that there might be a declaration of
heroic virtue, that is « the perfection of Christian and human love lived out in
the whole of life ». Marthe Robin was declared Venerable by Pope Francis on 7
November 2014.
What are the
next stages?
The recognition of a
miracle
The Postulator of the Cause of Beatification, Fr Bernard
Peyrous, will shortly deposit in Rome a file presenting a miracle obtained
through the intercession of Marthe Robin. This miracle will first go through a
diocesan enquiry and will then be studied by the Congregation for the Causes of
Saints who will look at testimonies, documents and scientific studies.
The Beatification
If the commission responsible for this enquiry recognises
the validity of the miracle, the Pope can then decide to declare her « Blessed »
on a date that he finds appropriate.