The main episodes of the process:

The recognition by the Church of one of its faithful's holiness is quite legitimately a long term affair. It is, in fact, understandable that the competent Vatican authorities give to the matter all the suitable attention, prudence and discernment required in beatification and canonization procedures, according to the rigorous criteria set forth by the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.

Thus, patience and perseverance appear as the cost to be paid for the joy we draw from the successful conclusion of a process, crowning the patient efforts made during several decades.


This is, indeed, the case for Frederic Ozanam's cause which lasted 71 years, from 1925 to 1996. We therefore consider interesting to recall the main phases of the procedure.


March 15, 1925 (Saint Louise de Marillac's Feast):

Opening of the ordinary informative process to introduce the cause of beatification of God's Servant Antoine-Frederic Ozanam, by the Postulator Francois-Xavier Hertzog, Apostolic Protonotary and General Procurator of the Society of SaintSulpice, before the Paris diocese, France.

February 2, 1926 (Feast of the Purification):

Grace of the recovery from a malignant diphteria, granted to Fernando Luiz B. Ottoni, 18 months old, in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. His paternal grandfather, President of the Holy Spirit Conference, in Rio de Janeiro, had asked his fellow members to pray fervently to obtain this favour from Frederic Ozanam.

July 13, 1929:

First exhumation, in the crypt of the Carmes' Church (Catholic Institute of Paris), of Frederic Ozanam's body, after the conclusion of the process in the Diocese of Paris, in the presence of Mrs. Frederic Laporte (Ozanam's granddaughter) and her daughters, of Monsignor Jean Verdier, Superior of the Carmes Seminar, future Cardinal Archbishop of Paris, and of His Excellency Monsignor Alfred Baudrillart, Rector of the Paris Catholic Institute, Member of the French Academy.

1953:

Publication of the Positio on the introduction of Frederic Ozanam's cause, in Rome, presented by Monsignor Joseph Geraud, of the Society of Saint-Sulpice, Postulator of the cause.

February 28, 1956:

Second exhumation of Frederic Ozanam's body, in the crypt of the Carmes' Church (Catholic Institute of Paris), in the presence of his great granddaughter, Miss Marie Laporte, and of the Society's Vice-President General, Doctor Raymond de Fresquet.

1980:

Publication of the Disquisitio (Enquiry on the life and action of God's Servant Frederic Ozanam), a great achievement of Rev. Fr. Etienne Diebold, of the Congregation of the Mission, Vice-Postulator, Rev. Fr. William Sheldon, C.M., being Postulator and Monsignor Giovanni Papa being General Vice-Relator of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.

1990:

Publication of the Positio on the virtues of God's Servant, Frederic Ozanam, composed of two documents: the Summarium and the Informatio, respectively written out by the successive Advocates, Mr Carlo Snider and Monsignor Luigi Porsi, at the time Rev. Pr. Alberto Piras, C.M. was Postulator and Rev. Fr. Yvon Beaudoin, O.M.I, Relator.

March 3, 1992:

Unanimous positive vote of the six advising Historians gathered, on the Society's request, to state about the quality and the accuracy of the works presented to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.

December 18, 1992:

Unanimous positive vote of the advising Theologians on the heroical character of the virtues of God's Servant, Frederic Ozanam (Theological virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity - Cardinal virtues: Courage, Justice, Prudence, Temperance).

May 4, 1993:

Unanimous positive vote of the Cardinals on the heroical character of the virtues of God's Servant, Frederic Ozanam.

July 6, 1993:

Signature and promulgation by Pope John-Paul II of the Decree on the heroical character of the virtues of God's Servant, Frederic Ozanam, proclaimed "Venerable" during a solemn ceremony in the Consistory's room, at the Vatican.

April 4, 1995:

Favourable medical advice of Professor Franco de Rosa, appointed by the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, on the exceptional cure of Fernando Luiz B. Ottoni.

April 27, 1995:

Favourable medical advice of Doctor Ennio Ensoli, appointed by the
Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, on the exceptional cure of Fernando
Luiz B. Ottoni.

April 27, 1995:

Conclusion of the new diocesan enquiry before the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Rio
de Janeiro diocese, Brazil, on the exceptional cure of Fernando Luiz B. Ottoni.

June 22, 1995:

Unanimous positive vote of the Consulta Medica (Medical Consulta) on the
miraculous character of the blessing obtained in favour of Fernando Luiz
B. Ottoni, through the intercession of Frederic Ozanam.

This official recognition of the miracle has taken place during a meeting,
at the office of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, Vatican, in the
presence of His Excellency Most Reverend Monsignor Alberto Bovone,
Pro-Prefect; of His Excellency Most Reverend Monsignor Edward Nowak,
Secretary; of Most Reverend Michele di Roberto, Assistant-Secretary;
of Monsignor Sandro Corradini, Promotor General of the Faith.

The Consulta Medica was composed of the President, Professor Raffaello Cortesini; of the Secretary, Doctor Antonio Bonatti and of four other members: Professor Franco de Rosa, Doctor Ennio Ensoli, Professor Roberto Picardi and Doctor Giovanni Battista Pignataro.

November 24, 1995:

Unanimous positive vote of the advising Theologians, giving their agreement to the 22 June judgment of the Consulta Medica, officially recognizing the miracle obtained through Frederic Ozanam's intercession. The sitting was held in the presence of the Promotor General of the Faith.

May 21, 1996:

Unanimous positive vote of the Cardinals, granting their approval to the 22 June judgment of the Consulta Medica, on the miracle obtained through the intercession of Frederic Ozanam, main founder of the Society of Saint-Vincent de Paul.

June 25, 1996:

Signature, by Pope John-Paul II, of the Decree of Beatification of Frederic Ozanam.