Bp Frederic Baraga declared Venerable

by Matthew Alderman

Bishop Frederic Baraga now bears the title of "Venerable." The advancement in his cause for sainthood was announced May 10 at the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI met with Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome, and approved the congregation's recommendation that Bishop Baraga, first bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, exhibited a life of heroic virtue and could thus be called "venerable."

"I am thrilled beyond words at this recognition of Bishop Baraga's heroic virtue by the universal church," said Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample. "I cannot overstate what a significant step this is towards the anticipated beatification and canonization of Bishop Baraga. This is a day for which we have been waiting nearly 40 years. I am so pleased to be able to call my saintly predecessor 'Venerable' Frederic Baraga."

Attaining this first of three steps in the sainthood process means that devotion to Bishop Baraga and the veneration of his memory can become very public. People can now pray for the intercession of the "Snowshoe Priest," as Baraga is called. In addition, church law states that access must now be given to his tomb.

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