The Cause for Canonization
Mary Virginia Merrick has been designated a Servant of God by the Catholic Church, an important early step in becoming a saint. Below you can learn more about the Canonization process and the importance of and guidelines for Intercessory Prayer—as well as a prayer card and/or novena booklet to help you to pray for graces or favors. Should you receive a grace or favor based upon the intercession of Mary Virginia Merrick, there is as an online form on which to advise our Postulator of the same, so the grace or favor may be investigated.
Process
Canonization is the formal process the Catholic Church uses to declare someone is a saint
What is a saint?
"The Church through the Pope solemnly declares a Catholic to be united with God in heaven, an intercessory to God on behalf of the living, and worthy of public and universal veneration." (USCCB)
The purpose of a cause of canonization is to examine one's life and death to determine (a) if he/she were martyred or (b) lived a life of virtue.
1. Archdiocesan Phase
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A petition to open a cause is made to an (arch)diocese.
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After the (arch)bishop opens the cause, the person is declared a "Servant of God." The (arch)diocese investigates how the person lived a "heroic, virtuous life" through a full theological examination of his/her writings and interviews of witnesses; for martyrdom, by examining the circumstances of martyrdom and the person's life.
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The person responsible for this investigation is the postulator.
2. Vatican Phase
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All of the documentation collected is sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints for examination.
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Documentation is sent to the members of the Congregation (cardinals and bishops).
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If the staff and Congregation find it favorable, it goes to the Pope.
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The Pope may declare the person "Venerable."
3. Becoming a "Blessed"
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A miracle attributed to the intercession of the person must be verified after examination by medical experts and theologians (a miracle is not mandatory for a martyr).
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Pope declares the person "Blessed."
4. Becoming a Saint
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A second verified miracle is attributed to the person.
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The Pope approves formal recognition of the person as a saint. This is done in a Canonization Mass.
Intercessory Prayer
Saints are those who are united with God in heaven, an intercessory to God on our behalf and worthy of public and universal veneration.
Saints intercede on our behalf in many ways, some more profound than others. Sometimes our prayers result in a saint interceding through a physical miracle; a common example is a medical miracle. A more common intercession is a spiritual one: bringing one closer to Christ and experiencing God’s love and mercy.
Both types of intercession are gifts from God and assure us of God’s presence in our lives.
Praying to Mary Virginia Merrick for Her Intercession for a Medical Miracle
When praying to someone being proposed for sainthood with the intention of seeking his or her intercession for a medical miracle, it is important to remember several things:
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All prayers must be directed to the person being proposed for sainthood, in this case, Mary Virginia Merrick. You may only request this person’s intercession. The rationale behind this requirement is that, if intercessory prayer is directed to several people, there is no clear indication as to who might be responsible for any resulting miracle. To facilitate your prayer and help you document it we have available for download both a simple prayer card with the Canonization Prayer and a short Novena Booklet with inspirational prayers and details about Mary Virginia Merrick’s life and spirituality.
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Your intention and request should be clear. You are requesting the intercession for healing for the specific person from a specific ailment.
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If you believe that a miracle has occurred because of someone’s prayers to one being proposed for Sainthood, the postulator should be contacted immediately. The postulator will instruct you with the necessary canonical procedure that will follow.
Submit a Grace or Favor
Please send us information about a favor you have received through the intercession of Mary Virginia Merrick.