In an article for Avvenire, the official newspaper of the
Italian bishops, journalist Stefania Falasca recalls people’s wish for
John XXIII to be made a “saint straight away” and explains the reasons
that led to Francis’ decision to canonize John XXIII, even in the
absence of a confirmed second miracle. During the Second Vatican Council meetings, theologian Yves Congar, wrote in his diary that Belgian cardinal Léon Joseph Suenens planned to conclude his “De Ecclesia” speech asking for John XXIII’s immediate canonization “by acclamation”.
Many other fathers of the Council and faithful shared the same wish. Last 5 July, Pope Francis promulgated a decree approving John Paul II’s second miracle and the decision - voted on by the Ordinary Session of Cardinals and Bishops - to canonize Pope John XXIII without a second miracle.
“That means Bergoglio has approved the cause for the canonization of John XXIII presented to him by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, even in the absence of a formally recognised second miracle, usually required in order to proclaim someone a saint,” Falasca says.
According to the current Code of Canon Law, canonization can only follow after the approval of one miracle attributed to the intercession of a candidate who is a member of the universal Church, whether they are a martyr or a beatified confessor of the faith. But someone can be proclaimed a saint on the basis of other factors and reasons which replace a scientifically and theologically proven miracle.”
It is therefore a matter of “shortcuts, simplifications or arbitrary decisions,” but of making an exception based on previous cases.
“One exception to the rule in the recent history of canonizations was John Paul II’s decision in 2000, to canonize Chinese martyrs, Agostino Zhao Rong and 119 others. These martyrs were beatified according to the prerequisites of the beatification process, at different moments and the Church commemorates them on 9 July. Their separate causes later became one joint cause under John Paul II’s “de signis” decree. They were exempted from a second miracle and raised to the sainthood on 1 October, the Year of the Great Jubilee. Wojtyla chose to do this for the following reasons: they had gained a fama signorum, that is, they became famous for performing miracles after their beatification and for the power they had in strengthening people’s faith in times of hardship and difficulty.”
There are two key reasons for proceeding with John XXIII’s canonization: the first is that the Vatican has already conceded permission in so many different parts of the world, from Asia to the Americas, to celebrate the feast of his beatification that he’s already considered a saint of the universal church.
In addition to this, the Good Pope has become increasingly famous for the signs and miracles faithful attribute to him, starting from the day of his beatification on 3 September 2000.
“After his beatification on September 3, 2000, numerous reports backing his sainthood cause, reports of graces and favours obtained from his intercession, came in from all over the world, often accompanied by medical documentation. About 20 really interesting reports came in,” Falasca writes.
The second reason is the request from the fathers of the Second Vatican Council straight after John XXIII’s death, that he be canonized immediately, so that his canonization could be recorded as a Council decision.
But no candidate for canonization received the privilege of a feast day dedicated to them as well as a request for their canonization by acclamation being presented during the Second Vatican Council.
So these are the main reasons why Francis has given the go ahead for John XXIII’s canonization.
Falasca added that fifty years after John XXIII’s death, his person can finally be seen in terms of his life and actions rather than through the prism of the emotions and actions witnessed at the time.
This has made it in-depth understanding of his work and writings possible and should allow his holiness shine through.