BISHOP RHOADES OPENS DIOCESAN INQUIRY
INTO BR. COLUMBA O’NEILL’S CAUSE
On Divine Mercy Sunday, 27 April, the Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, officially opened the diocesan inquiry for the cause of beatification and canonization of now Servant of God Columba O’Neill.
The Opening Session in the diocesan phase was held in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame following the celebration of solemn vespers, at which Bishop Rhoades presided and preached. Many Holy Cross religious from the local area were in attendance, including Br. Ken Haders (MW), Provincial, and Fr. William Lies (US), Provincial. In his homily, Bishop Rhoades connected the deep devotion of Br. Columba to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the Divine Mercy, inviting those present to share the mercy and love of God with others.
Bishop Rhoades also singled out for recognition and gratitude Br. Philip Smith (MW), Archivist, who for several years has tirelessly and faithfully worked to promote knowledge of and devotion to Br. Columba. His thorough work compiling the Servant of God’s correspondence and organizing the archives will greatly facilitate the upcoming inquiry.
The Opening Session itself is a juridic act. On behalf of the Postulator, Dr. Valentina Culurgioni, Fr. Andrew Gawrych, Third Assistant and Vice Postulator, formally presented the supplex libellus to the bishop.
The bishop, in turn, having obtained the necessary nihil obstat from the Dicastery for the Causes for Saints, issued a decree, accepting the supplex libellus and appointing the various officials of the inquiry, including his Episcopal Delegate (Fr. Mark Gurtner), the Promotor of Justice, the Notary, and the three members of the historical commission. Each of these officials and Fr. Andrew as Vice Postulator took his oath of office.
The Opening Session concluded with Bishop Rhoades enclosing the acts of the session into the official record.
Opening Session of the Inquiry into the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Servant of God, Brother Columba O’Neill, C.S.C.
To coincide with the Opening Session of the diocesan inquiry, the General Administration, through the work of the Commission for Consecrated Life and Heritage, has published a short booklet on the life of Br. Columba O’Neill entitled Miracle Man of Notre Dame. Written by Br. Philip and Mr. Edwin Donnelly (US), it is the first in a series of short life histories on our holy men to fulfill Recommendation 35 of the 2022 General Chapter.
The booklet is available for download on the Congregation’s website in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The French version will be available within the next month. There is both a standard PDF for reading on computers or tablets and a version formatted for easier printing. We encourage you to print and/or share this booklet with our partners in mission, parishioners, students, and other lay faithful so they can come to know and be inspired by the life of Br. Columba.
We keep in our prayers all of our causes for beatification and canonization, that God may bless all the work being done so that, if it be His will, our brothers will be raised to the altar for people to find inspiration and encouragement in their intercession and example.
