Diocese Opens Sainthood Cause for Ohio Woman Renowned for Healing Gifts

The Catholic Herald (UK) ^ | 1/3/17 | CNS

[marshmallow]

It was standing-room-only at the Mass to officially open the cause for Rhoda Wise

In the fall when the Diocese of Youngstown formally opened the sainthood cause for an Ohio woman known for her life of prayer and spiritual gifts, more than 1,000 people filled St Peter Church in Canton.

It was standing-room-only at the Mass to officially open the cause for Canton’s Rhoda Wise, known for her healing gifts and the stigmata, wounds that resemble those of Christ on the cross.

Though raised a Protestant, Wise (1888-1948) later embraced Catholicism and was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the rosary and St Therese of Lisieux, known as the “Little Flower”.

People of all ages, most from Stark County, but many from out-of-state, came to Wise’s home parish church for this first step in her journey to possible official recognition as a saint. Mgr Robert Siffrin, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, was the main celebrant.

The number of people at Mass “shows how many people she touched while she was alive or after (her death),” said Fr Edward Beneleit, pastor of St Peter, told The Catholic Exponent, Youngstown’s diocesan newspaper. “It shows the devotion to her. This is the crowd that is really faithful.”

Among those who claimed miraculous healing from Wise was Mother Angelica, founder of the Eternal Word Television Network, who said she was cured of a painful stomach ailment after praying with Wise, who led her in a novena to St Therese of Lisieux.

Our Lady of Angels Monastery in Alabama, which Mother Angelica also founded, for years supported the Rhoda Wise Shrine, which was built in the home of Wise and surrounding property in Canton.

With her cause officially opened, Youngstown Bishop George V Murry declared her a “servant of God” here.

[raygunfan]

awesome

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Wonder how much money is changing hands to promote her sainthood...

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/09/23/new_rules_for_miracles_at_congregation_for_saints/1260274

[LadyDoc]

Usually I would agree with you that money can speed along a saint, but in this case I suspect it is a grass roots campaign, because American bishops tend to hate miracle stuff. Now if she lived in Italy such miracle working mystic would be a dime a dozen, most of them neurotic virgins with ecstasies showing off to locals. But from the description of this lady in Mother Angelica's biography she sounded down to earth despite her visions.

[Salvation]

I saw nothing about money there (in your link), but did find this:

**“The purpose of the Regulation can be none other than the good of the Causes, which can never neglect the historical and scientific truth of the alleged miracles. **

[Falconspeed]

A hidden lady from Canton, Ohio might be a saint. Who knew? All she needs is two miracles approved by doctors and then she will be on her way. Until then, I’ll keep praying the to regulars: St. Jude, St. Paul, etc.

[Falconspeed]

“FRamigo.” Thanks for inventing the term which I see regularly along with “FRiend.”

Thanks for the link to Vatican Radio article. “The re-examination of the presumed miracle a Board of nine members is required.” Sounds reasonable.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

The most telling part of the changes:

Three strikes and you’re out - really? You can’t identify a miracle immediately as the did in Scripture.

All payments are now forced to be disclosed and accountable.

[Iscool]

This gives legitimacy to Benny Hinn...

[Campion]

Three strikes and you’re out - really? You can’t identify a miracle immediately as the did in Scripture.

Some miracles you can, some you can't. But he's setting a limit on the maximum number of times it can be revisited, before it (the alleged miracle) is discarded.

All payments are now forced to be disclosed and accountable.

The "payments" involved are expenses for expert witnesses. Why is it a bad thing for those expense remunerations to be above-board and clearly documented?

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“The “payments” involved are expenses for expert witnesses. Why is it a bad thing for those expense remunerations to be above-board and clearly documented?”

After 2,000 years, I think it’s a great change to eliminate cash payments and other bribes.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“What is the price of sainthood? Vatican officials made a startling discovery shortly after Pope Francis was elected in 2013: outside payments were routinely made to a small office in the Holy See to boost the prospects of a candidate for canonisation.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.ft.com/content/125327f0-8485-11e5-8095-ed1a37d1e096?client=safari

[Salvation]

That link has options to pay for news. Interesting.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

It let me in once free.

I don’t like paywalls.

At least they fully disclose the cost...

[pbear8]

While it is good to be cautious about some claims, in her biography Mother Angelica speaks of this lady through whom Our Lord chose to heal her stomach. With that in mind, it might be good to take a look at her cause.