JOAN OF ARC TO BE A SAINT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2339, 4 November 1908, Page 2

JOAN OF ARC TO BE A SAINT

The Bishop of Orleans, Mgr. ioucliet, makes an interesting statement in the “Figaro,” as to the state of the pleadings at the Vatican in the case of the canonisation of Joan of Arc. There have been recent rumors to the effect that a favorable issue was not likely to be deferred. The Bishop of Orleans has no reason to boubt that the cause of Joan of Arc will eventually triumph. The three points to be determined are:—First, whether Joan o.f Arc has ever been the object of worship; secondly, whether Joan of Arc displayed to an heroic degree the cardinal virtues of fortitude, justice, and temjfti’ance, with their adjuncts, humility and chastity, and the theological virtues faith, hope, and charity; thirdly, whether she worked miracles after her death. The first point was quickly disposed of. A ravorable judgment was rendered in 1898. The arguments relative to the. virtues of the candidate for canonisation took a longer time. The procedure is elaborate. After a preliminary sitting, in which the question is discussed between the Advocatus ;Diaboli and the candidate’s counsel in presence of the Cardinal ponete, sitting is held before the Congregation of Rites, which is followed by a solemn sitting called Coram sanctissimo, because it 1 takes place in the presence of the Pope himself. All the proceedings are carefully recorded, entire volumes being filled by the arguments, pro and con, relative to the virtues of the candidate for sainthood. In the case of Joan or Arc the question as to her virtues has been settled for some time. There remains the third point as to miracles, in which the procedure is the same as in the deliberations of virtues. The two preliminary sittings have been held, and only the stage of- the solemn sitting before the Sovereign Pontiff remains. Then will come the Pontifical degree de tuto —in other words, the solemn decision wherein the Pope will declare tliat the canonisation can be proceeded with. It only remains to fix the date of the ceremony.