Archbishop Henry Mansell of Hartford, Conn., left, receives from Dominican Fr. Gabriel O'Donnell documents containing new evidence of an alleged miracle attributed to the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Fr. Michael McGivney, during a ceremony in 2009. (CNS/Catholic Transcript/Jack Sheedy)
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To list all of the open causes for sainthood in the United States is an almost impossible task. While 12 Americans have been declared saints, dozens are in the stages that precede canonization.
Below is a most likely not comprehensive list of still active sainthood causes. Causes that have been open for more than 50 years with no movement have not been included. (You would be surprised how many cases were opened before 1964 that haven't moved past the servant of God stage.) Also not included are causes that were opened outside the U.S.
Blesseds are those who have been beatified -- the third of the four steps in the canonization process:
- Charity Sr. Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, writer of letters on spiritual prayer and life
- Redemptorist Fr. Francis Xavier Seelos, U.S. missionary known for his happy availability
- Franciscan Fr. Junípero Serra, founder of missions in California
