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POPE-GUERIN Jul-3-2006 (340 words) With photo posted May 1. xxxi
Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin, three others to be canonized Oct. 15
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin, the 19th-century foundress of a religious order and numerous schools in Indiana, will be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI Oct. 15 along with a 20th-century Mexican bishop and two Italian religious founders.
The date for the canonization Mass was established when the pope and cardinals living in Rome met at the Vatican July 1 for an "ordinary public consistory," a meeting which formally ends the sainthood process. Earlier in the year, the pope had recognized the final miracles needed for the canonizations of the four candidates.
Born in France's northern province of Brittany Oct. 2, 1798, Mother Theodore traveled to the United States as a missionary in 1840 at the request of the French-born bishop of Vincennes, Ind.
Mother Theodore, who had been superior of the Sisters of Providence at Ruille-sur-Loire in France, founded the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She and her companions also started Indiana's first boarding school for young girls.
Before Mother Theodore died May 14, 1856, she set up 10 other Catholic schools throughout Indiana.
The other new saints will be:
-- Bishop Rafael Guizar Valencia, a Mexican born in 1877 who spent his life dedicated to preaching and ministering to the poor despite government opposition to the church's activities. Born to a wealthy family, he used family money to establish schools for girls and boys. He died in 1938 in Mexico City and was beatified in 1995 by Pope John Paul II.
-- Father Filippo Smaldone, an Italian priest who was born in 1848 and opened an institute for the deaf and mute and looked after their material and spiritual needs. He founded the Institute of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and died in 1923.
-- Sister Rosa Venerini, who was born in 1656. The Italian nun founded the Congregation of the "Maestre Pie Venerini." She died in 1728 and was beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1952.
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Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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