Mother McCrory's miracle investigation goes to the Vatican

Piscataway, N.J., Sep 24, 2009 / 19:16 pm

The Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey has completed its role in an investigation of a possible miracle performed by Servant of God Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory, the foundress of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. The investigation is to be continued at the Vatican and could lead to Mother McCrory being declared “Blessed” by the Church.

A ceremony at the diocesan headquarters concluded the local inquiry, which began on May 20, 2009. The investigation has been handed over to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which will determine the authenticity of the miracle as well as if it can be attributed to Mother McCrory.

The Carmelite sister was a woman of great faith who spent her life caring for the elderly and ailing in long-term care facilities operated by her order. She died in 1984 at age 91.

The Vatican has already released a degree of “Juridical Validation” for the diocesan investigation of her life undertaken by her home diocese, the Diocese of Albany. 
 
According to Lori Albanese, Chancellor of the Diocese Metuchen and notary of the investigation, 10-15 individuals were interviewed regarding the case, including family members, people who prayed for the miracle, the doctors involved, as well as two medical experts who are independent of the Church and of the case. "We were very pleased with the quality of testimony," Albanese said. "The witnesses were very accessible."

The local bishop, Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski told myCentralJersey.com, "I'm pleased that the investigation was completed within four months.” He added,  "we were honored to be asked by the Vatican to investigate the possible miracle.” Details of the miracle have not been released to the public.

On September 24, CNA spoke with Mother Mary Mark Randall, the Superior General of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.

Mother Mary Mark revealed that the miracle being investigated involves a family in the diocese who prayed for Mother McCrory’s intercession when they found out their unborn child had been diagnosed with a severe genetic defect. When their baby girl was born, the abnormality was not as severe as doctors had anticipated.

According to Mother Mary Mark, “the child is doing fine now. She is leading a normal life.” She also said that the little girl was related to one of the members of the order.

The progression of this investigation as well as the 80th anniversary of their founding gives the sisters dual cause to celebrate this year. The sisters, who say a prayer for Mother McCrory’s canonization every day, “are very happy that [the investigation] is progressing,” Mother Mary Mark told CNA. “It’s quite an honor for us to have our foundress recognized for the good works she did and the person she was.”

Since Mother McCrory only stepped down from being Superior General in 1978 and lived in the motherhouse in Germantown, N.Y. until her death in 1984, many of the sisters knew her, though there are only one or two still alive who worked closely with her.

The sisters said they have been receiving more attention since the cause for Mother McCrory’s sainthood went public. People have been emailing them with prayer intentions and they have experienced increased membership in their Teresian Society, an organization dedicated to furthering Mother McCrory’s cause.