A local group has formally launched a campaign aimed at convincing the Vatican to canonize Audrey Santo, the young woman linked to a number of alleged miracles and strange happenings that began to occur after she lapsed into a comatose-like state following her near drowning in the family’s pool in 1987.Members of the organization — the Little Audrey Santo Foundation Inc. — said they decided they will make a pitch to the Holy See’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints after Bishop Robert J. McManus on Thursday officially “recognized” the group as “a private association of the faithful.”
Diocesan officials said the designation gives the foundation canonical standing. That’s important because the canonization process is usually initiated by the bishop, who oversees the locale where the candidate for sainthood died or is buried; a religious order interested in nominating one of its own, or by a private association.
Raymond L. Delisle, diocesan vice president for operations and communications director, stressed that Bishop McManus is not taking a position on the question of whether Miss Santo should be considered for sainthood.
“It’s the association that’s promoting the cause, not the diocese,” he said.
Group members said they’ve already begun screening potential witnesses who would testify under oath before a church tribunal and are gathering information, documents and other materials to make their case.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am,” said Miss Santo’s mother, Linda. “The bishop’s decision is a blessing to us.”
On Aug. 9, 1987, Miss Santo, then 3, was found floating in the family’s backyard pool on Rockwood Avenue.
She was not breathing and showed no vital signs when a brother pulled her from the water.
Investigators said the child, who was resuscitated by family and neighbors, was underwater for at least 15 minutes. They expressed surprise that Miss Santo survived.
After a long hospital stay, Miss Santo and her family moved into another West Side home that could better accommodate medical equipment.
Almost immediately, bizarre occurrences allegedly began, such as oily substances oozing from statues and consecrated Communion wafers becoming stained with what was said to be blood.
The claims resulted in an almost cult-like following, with some people claiming they were healed of illnesses through the girl’s intercession.
A 1999 investigation by the Diocese of Worcester could not substantiate the claims but church officials did not dismiss their possibility.
Miss Santo died April 15, 2007, of cardio-respiratory failure.
Usually, five years must elapse after the candidate’s death before a canonization investigation can be launched, thus allowing for emotions about the matter to dissipate.
But members of the foundation said Pope Benedict XVI will be asked to waive the waiting period.
“Audrey has always been a symbol of the value of life,” said Robert E. Keane, a local lawyer who is clerk of the foundation. “Although she was so physically disadvantaged, she still managed to help so many people.”
Bishop McManus recognized the group after meeting this week with Andrea Ambrosi, who has promoted the causes of several candidates for sainthood.
Officials said Msgr. F. Stephen Pedone, the judicial vicar and vicar for canonical affairs, also attended, as well as a monsignor with a national canon law association.
The Vatican-based Mr. Ambrosi is a “postulator,” or advocate, for potential saints during the rigorous investigative process.
He has been called “a saint maker” by longtime Newsweek religion editor Kenneth Woodward, and is currently helping those who believe that former New York City Archbishop Fulton Sheen should be made a saint.
Foundation members said Mr. Ambrosi got things moving last year after sending Mrs. Santo a letter expressing his interest in pursuing the canonization of her daughter.
“This all really came out of Rome,” Mr. Keane said. “The Vatican is aware that Audrey had an international following.”
Mr. Ambrosi also met last September with Bishop McManus.
Mr. Keane said that meeting was held to discuss how the foundation might be organized and run.
The current procedures for canonization are contained in the Apostolic constitution “Divinus Perfectionis Magister” and were issued by Pope John Paul II in 1983.
After the initiation process and the work of the tribunal, the candidacy is considered by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. If the case passes muster, the congregation’s prefect presents the findings to the pope, who makes the final decision.
The key to canonization, church officials said, is the authentication of two miracles attributed to the candidate after his or her death.
Mr. Keane said the foundation believes it can authenticate one miracle but he declined to elaborate.
For now, he said the foundation is gathering information about people who claim they converted to the faith or were helped physically or emotionally through Miss Santo’s intercession.
“We really have a long way to go,” he said.
The canonization process was appreciably shortened by Pope John Paul II, who elevated a significant number of individuals to sainthood during his long papacy.
Historically, some candidates become saints within a relatively short time while others have been under consideration for as many as 200 years.
“The bishop’s action gives us credibility and allows us to go forward,” Mr. Keane said.
The Rev. John J. Foley, pastor of Christ the King Church, the Pleasant Street parish to which the Santo family belongs, serves as president of the foundation. He did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
In the Roman Catholic Church, canonized saints may be venerated and are capable of interceding on behalf of the living. It’s estimated there are about 10,000 saints. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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(Source: WTGN)