Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin - FAITHFUL FILL BASILICA FOR OPENING OF GALLITZIN’S CAUSE

(LORETTO, PA) – The opening session into the Cause for Canonization for Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin drew a standing-room only audience Sunday at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto.

Faithful, Clergy, Religious, and others interested in the cause came from many parts of the eight-county diocese to witness one of the most historic events in the local Church. The Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona Johnstown, presided at the opening session and celebration of the Mass, which included the taking of oaths by those involved in canonization effort. Those who were sworn in during the ceremony included: Bishop Joseph, Reverend Monsignor Michael Servinsky (Bishop’s Delegate), Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Betty Seymour (Postulators), Theological Commission members Reverend Monsignor Timothy Swope, Very Reverend Father Christian Oravec, T.O.R., Reverend Father Demetrius Dumm, O.S.B., and Reverend Father John Slovikovski, Historical Commission members Mr. Matthew Bunson, Dr. John Coleman, Reverend Father Albert Ledoux, and Dr. Stephen Rombouts, Promoter of Justice Reverend Father Angelo Patti, Notary Mrs. Teresa Stayer, Vice-Notaries Deacon Robert Bailey and Mrs. Kathleen Kruise.

At the outset of the session, Bishop Joseph chronicled the preliminary work that had been done to bring the process to its official beginning. Starting in 1998, Mr. Bunson was commissioned to author a book on the life of Father Gallitzin. In 2003, a task force was established to investigate the possibility of initiating the cause. The work of the task force resulted in the Bishop’s request in March 2005 to the Vatican’s Congregation of Saints to proceed with the effort. Two months later, the permission was received and Bishop appointed Mr. and Mrs. Seymour to conduct further research into Father Gallitzin’s life and teachings. The Bishop also requested input from his brother Bishops of Region III (Pennsylvania and New Jersey) and reviewed candidates for membership on the cause’s Theological and Historical Commissions.

Monsignor Servinsky followed with an explanation of the canonical steps that will be taken now that the cause has officially opened. After the Postulators and Commissions research and review the historical documents and teachings of Servant of God Gallitzin they will testify before the Diocesan Tribunal in a Second Session of Inquiry. Before the testimony is forwarded to the Vatican, the Diocese will wait for evidence of a miracle. One miracle is required for beatification and a second miracle is needed before the Servant of God could be recognized as a Saint. While the process could take years, Bishop Joseph and Monsignor Servinsky urged those in need to pray for the intercession of Gallitzin and forward any evidence of miracle to the Diocese.

Bishop Joseph complimented the large audience for their attendance. “Such a considerable turnout of the Faithful from various parts of our Diocese, along with their clergy and religious, testifies to the fact that this Servant of God continues to be acclaimed almost two centuries later. This is significant for the process, as the regard that the Faithful have for Father Gallitzin, even today, plays an important part.”

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The Johnstown Tribune Democrat

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