Venerable Mary Aikenhead

Today in Rome, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints published a decree of Pope Francis concerning several causes for saints.


Blessed Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux (CNS)

Most notably, the Pope has approved a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Louis Martin and Blessed Marie-Azélie Guérin, the parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux. They are expected to be canonised during the Synod on the Family being held in Rome in October 2015.

Mary Aikenhead - Mother Mary Frances

 The Congregation also promulgated decrees of heroic virtue for seven individuals who are on the path to canonization. The Servants of God whose heroic virtues were recognized on Tuesday included Mary Aikenhead who was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1787. She was the Founder of the Institute of the Religious Sisters of Charity in Ireland (which set up St Vincent's hospital in Dublin originally on St Stephen's Green). She died in Dublin in 1858.

Congratulations to the Sisters of Charity!

You can read more about Mother Mary Frances here and here

RTE coverage here
Irish Independent coverage here
Sisters of Charity website news