Canonization of Fatima's Jacinta, Francisco Likely

e3mil.com ^ | Wednesday, February 23, 2005

[nickcarraway]

Lisbon, Feb. 22 (CNA/CWNews.com) - The Portuguese EFE news agency is reporting that the Diocese of Leiria-Fatima has sent the final documents for the canonization of Jacinta and Francisco Marto to the Vatican. The announcement came just days after the death of their cousin, the third seer of Fatima, last week at the age of 97.

"I can confirm that the so-called 'Positio,' the final document for the canonization of the two shepherd children, has been sent," said Bishop Serafim Ferreira e Silva during a Mass dedicated to the visionaries of Our Lady of Fatima.

He also said the Portuguese bishops are hopeful that "Pope John Paul II (bio - news) can proclaim their canonization and recommend Blesseds Jacinta and Francisco Marto for public veneration by the entire Catholic world."

Bishop Ferreira e Silva explained that the document sent to the Vatican includes the opinions of doctors, theologians, and bishops regarding the second miracle attributed to the intercession of the children.

On October 13, 2004, the canonical process was opened for recognizing the miracle that would make their canonization possible. The case involved the healing of an infant named Felipe Moura Marques, now 5, the son of a Portuguese couple living in Switzerland.

Felipe was born with type 1 diabetes, a disease considered incurable. His mother and his grandmother, fervent devotees of Francisco and Jacinta, took the child to the Shrine of Fatima and placed him near the tombs of the two blesseds.

On May 13, 2000, while watching the beatification on television, the mother prayed to Francisco and Jacinta for the health of their child. Since that time Felipe has not needed to take insulin and has been completely cured of his diabetes.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

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