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I was hoping that someone knows where to find out more about canonization miracles. I like reading about these miracles. I have not searched very thoroughly, but finding these miracles online or in print does not seem like a simple task. As an amateur (very amateur…..very very amateur) engineer, I always need some sort of evidence to back up equations that govern nature. If I read a fluid mechanics textbook that simply states that the Navier Stokes equations govern fluid flow in nature, I need more proof and must see the derivation of the equations from basic physics knowledge. The same is the case for me and the saints. If the church tells me that a person is in heaven offering my prayers to God, conforming them to God’s will, I need proof. You may call me a doubting Thomas on this (Jn 20:25), but there is loads of proof for me about Jesus doing the will of the Father in the bible. For instance, in John 8:29, he says “The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.” Thus, if I pray to our Lord Jesus, he as the Son of God must conform them to the will of God for me (Rom 8:26). I am also very convinced that he is in heaven (Acts 1:11) and that he came from there (Jn 1:2).
Thus, I will pray to Jesus because I know he is in Heaven and his Holy Spirit will pray for me to the Father according to the will of the Father. St. Thomas Aquinas tells us in the Summa Theologica that the saints have obtained heavenly glory and offer our prayers in conformity with the will of God for us, if we pray to them. Thus, I can pray to these saints, if I am convinced they are in heaven. Here is where the canonization miracles come into play. If I know a saints life, I may judge that this guy or girl was holy and must be in heaven. But, it really helps if I know that through their intercession the will of God is being done through miracles. It is a greater proof for me that the person I am praying to is actually where I think he is (heaven) and is doing what I believe he is (praying to God for me).
So, this is why I am searching for canonization miracles. For proof, but also because they are really cool to read about. The other day I read that St. Juan Macias, a Dominican, interceded for a poor community in Peru by multiplying rice. That is good stuff. I want to hear more. Protestants need to hear this stuff.
Thanks,
Dominic Maria
Dominic,
I recall seeing an interview on EWTN with the man whose damaged heart had been healed through intercession by St. Faustina. Perhaps you could search the EWTN website for that interview — they would be a good place to look in general, I expect.
Most canonization miracles these days are medical in nature — miraculous cures, like this one — or so I’ve been told. That may be part of why they’re hard to find: the names of those who have been healed may not be allowed to be made public.
Though I put up the picture of Padre Pio and his stigmata, it’s actually not the case that stigmata or incorruption can be used as miracles in the cause, which is interesting to note.
Here’s a link to some of the miracles associated with the Lebanese saint, St. Charbel Makhlouf. One of the miracles is his beatification miracle.
Miracles of St. Charbel
Sorry, guys, I know that this is off-topic, but I wanted to be sure to pass it along, especially to Matthew. A kind priest who was visiting our blog emailed me this afternoon about a wonderful book by St. Alphonsus Maria de’Liguori which is back in print–surprisingly, though, not by TAN! Here is the link, though not a direct one, you’ll have to search for it. For some reason, it won’t link from “search” results.
Dominic Maria, I really like your use of Scriptural citations in the post; that is way old school.