Another Filipino nun closer to sainthood

MANILA, Philippines — Another Filipino nun is now a step closer to sainthood after the Vatican recognized her heroic virtues.

Pope Francis declared Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo de Fuentes as “venerable” on July 6, according to the Catholic Bishops’Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Mother Francisca is the founder of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. She died in Manila in 1711.

The pontiff said the nun “lived with Christian virtues in a heroic way.”

Last month, Pope Francis granted Dominican nun, Mother Maria Beatrice Rosario Arroyo, the same title, which the CBCP said is the first major step on the path to sainthood.

Mother Francisca’s path to sainthood started as early as December 2002 through a petition with the Vatican, which was granted by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints after a year.

The Decree of Validity on the Diocesan Inquiry was approved in June 2007, which allowed the writing of the “positio” on the life, virtues and fame of sanctity of Mother Francisca.

The completion of the positio was in 2012. The Mother Francisca Commission received a copy of the positio in December 2014 with the favorable evaluation from the historical experts of the Vatican.

After declaration as venerable, the Vatican would have to recognize a miracle attributed to the Filipino nun’s intercession in order for her to be beatified, the next step toward sainthood.

After beatification, another miracle would be needed for canonization, which is the formal declaration as saint by the Vatican.

Mother Francisca was buried in the Church of the Collegio de San Juan de Letran, her tomb located over the steps of the main altar on the gospel side.

The Philippines has two Catholic saints: Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod.    

The country has three “blesseds”Diego Luis de San Vitores, Eugenio Sanz-Orozco Mortera and Iustus Takayama Ukon as well as five venerables Isabel Larrañaga Ramirez, Ignacia del Espiritu Santo Juco, Joanina Maria Mercedes Barcelo Pages, Aloysius Schwartz and Alfredo Maria Obviar.