UPDATE ON THE PROCESS OF CANONIZATION OF SERVANT OF GOD
MERE HENRIETTE DELILLE
REVIEW:
- Seven historians approved the positio, a compilation and defense of all of the documents pertaining to the life, virtue, and reputation of sanctity of Servant of God Henriette Delille, on October 7, 2008.
- Nine theologians approved the positio on May 29, 2009.
- Fifteen Cardinals and Archbishops met and approved Henriette Delille's practice of
heroic virtue on March 2, 2010.
- The Holy Father declared Henriette Delille venerable on March 27, 2010.
- Next, the alleged miracle will be considered. If the miracle is accepted, Henriette will be named blessed.
- One miracle is needed for beatification.
- One miracle is needed for canonization.
- The beatification will take place in New Orleans.
In the meantime we thank God for what has been and pray and wait for what will be.
The Henriette Delille Commission Office of the Sisters of the Holy Family thank all persons who attended the Mass honoring Venerable Henriette Delille; participated in the Mass and its preparation, took care of the transportation for our Sisters, and made contributions to the cost and handling of the reception in the Garden after Mass. We remember you in our daily prayers. Below are pictures taken Sunday, April 25, 2010 during Mass and at the reception.
Today, April 25, marks the 21th anniversary of the founding of our Archdiocese. We celebrate that anniversary by acknowledging the vocations given to and fostered by the Church of New Orleans. We glory in these dedicated women and men who have followed the call of God to service. It is fitting that today we recognize in a special way the vocation of one in particular, the Venerable Henriette Delille.
Venerable Henriette Delille, a free woman of color who lived in the 19th century, is one of the finest examples of a vocation born in Faith, nurtured by this local church, and tested in the adversity of the times of her day. Her life is summarized in the words she herself wrote in her prayer book. "I believe in God, I hope in God, I love, I wish to live and die for God."
She put into action that lasting motto. She with her companions began a ministry to the enslaved, the elderly and the marginalized of society. That work today is carried on by her daughters in the congregation she founded, Sisters of the Holy Family. The work of education, care of the elderly, work with the marginalized is the lasting miracle of her faith and vision. That work is carried on in this Country, Central America, and in Africa. Today she still reaches all peoples everywhere. She teaches what love of God and love of man is.
In his play about St. Thomas More, Robert Bolt calls him, “A Man for All Seasons.” This title more than adequately describes the life of Thomas More.
Perhaps if Robert Bolt would write a play about Venerable Henriette Delille, he would entitle it “A Woman for All Ages.”
"A Woman for All Ages"
Reflection on Venerable Henriette Delille by Monsignor Crosby Kern
Photographs by: Sister Laura Mercier, SSF and Ms. Pearl Cantrelle
After prayerful discernment the Sisters of the Holy family elected
Sister Eva Regina Martin
Congregational Leader
Sister Greta Jupiter
Assistant Congregational Leader
Sister Leona Bruner
Second General Councilor
Sister Alicia Costa
Third General Councilor
Sister Clare of Assisi Pierre
Fourth General Councilor
Sister Angela Smith
Fifth General Councilor
Sister Geneva James
Sixth General Councilor
Sister Agnes Marie Sampia
Treasurer General
Sister Patricia Hardy
Secretary General
