North American nun closer to sainthood, second miracle attributed

Feb 22, 2006 / 22:00 pm

A second miracle has been attributed to Mother Theodore Guerin, opening the way for a possible canonization this fall.

Mother Guerin, who founded the Sisters of Providence in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., in 1840, is credited with helping to restore the eyesight of Phil McCord, an employee of the order's motherhouse, general superior Sr. Ann Margaret O'Hara told reporters Wednesday. The miracle is waiting approval from Pope Benedict XVI, reported the Associated Press.

McCord was waiting for a corneal transplant in his right eye after a cataract surgery in 2000 resulted in permanent damage. While the 59-year-old awaited the transplant, he returned to his job, and one day entered the order’s college chapel and asked for Mother Guerin’s intercession.

His eyesight began improving the following morning, and when he visited his doctor two weeks later, he was told he no longer needed the transplant. His eye specialist and a second doctor have confirmed there's no medical explanation for the sudden improvement.

Mother Guerin came to Indiana from France in 1840 to start her order, which offered education and medical care for pioneer families in western Indiana. By the time of her death 1856, the order had grown to more than 150 women. Today, there are about 800 in 26 states and Asia.

Mother Guerin's cause for canonization officially opened in 1909, but work started in 1901 when Sr. Mary Theodosia Mug, whose cure from cancer was accepted as the first miracle attributed to Guerin, wrote her foundress’ biography.

Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Guerin in 1998.