Pope Benedict XVI approves fourteen people's advance towards sainthood

Vatican City, Dec 18, 2007 / 13:47 pm

Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on Monday to publish and circulate the decrees of miracles attributed to the intercession of six Servants of God and the decrees of the heroic virtues of eight people, including Antonietta Meo, a six year-old Italian girl known as “Nennolina,” and Manuel Lozano Garrido, a Spanish handicapped layman who was a journalist and writer.

The Holy Father promulgated the decrees on Monday, opening the door to the beatification and possible canonization for the following individuals:

Michele Sopocko, diocesan priest: born in Juszewszczyna the region of Vilnius (before in Poland, now in Lithuania) on November 1, 1888, and died in Białystok (Poland) on February 15, 1975;

Giacomo Da Ghazir Haddad (born as Khalil), priest of the Capuchin Order of Franciscans and founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross in Lebanon; born in Ghazir (Lebanon) on February 1, 1875, and died in Beirut (Lebanon) on June 26, 1954;

Maria Magdalena de la Encarnacion Sordini (born Catherine), foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament; born in Porto Santo Stefano (Grossetto, Italy) and died in Rome on November 29, 1824;

Giovanna Emilia de Villeneuve, foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception; born in Toulouse (France) on March 9, 1811, and died in Castres (France) on October 2, 1854;

Vincenza María Poloni (born Luigia), foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona; born in Verona (Italy) on January 26, 1802, and found dead on November 11, 1855;

María Josefina de Jesús Crucificado Catanea (born Giuseppina); professed nun of the Discalced Carmelites; born in Naples (Italy) on February 18, 1896, and found dead on March 14, 1948.

The Pope also recognized the “heroic virtues” of the following Servants of God:

Francesco Mottola, diocesan priest and founder of the Secular Institute of the Oblates of the Sacred Heart; born in Tropea (Catanzaro, Italy) on January 3, 1901, and died on June 29, 1969;

Serafino Morazzone, diocesan priest born in Milan (Italy) on February 1, 1747 and died on April 13, 1822;

Raffaele Luigi Rafiringa, professed religious of the Institute of the Brothers of Christian Schools; born in Antananarivo (Madagascar) on November 3, 1856 and died in Fianarantsoa (Madagascar) on May 19, 1919; 

Stefano Nehmé (born Giuseppe), professed brother of the Lebanese Order of the Maronites; born in Lebanon in early March, 1889, and died in Kfifane (Lebanon) on August 30, 1938;

Ana María Marovich, of the Institute of the Sisters of Reparation of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and of Mary Immaculate; born in Venice (Italy) on February 7, 1815, and died on October 3, 1887;

Maria Piera de Micheli (born Josefa Maria), professed sister of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of Buenos Aires; born in Milan on September 11, 1890, and died in Centonara de Arto (Italy) on July 26, 1945;

Manuel Lozano Garrido, layman and journalist; born in Linares (Spain) on August 9, 1920, and died on November 3, 1971;

Antonietta Meo (known as Nennolina); born in Rome on December 15, 1930, and died on July 3, 1937, at the age of six.