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Canonization
In December 1989, 5 years after Fr. Walter’s death, the Father Walter J. Ciszek Prayer League began its quest to seek
the Canonization of Father Walter Ciszek. Then-Bishop Michael J. Dudick began the official diocesan process of
investigation for the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, NJ and the Father Walter Ciszek Prayer League in
Shenandoah, PA was formally incorporated as the Official Organization for the Promotion of the Cause of Canonization
of Father Walter Ciszek. With the arrival of Bishop Andrew Pataki as the head of the eparchy of Passaic, the cause was
transferred to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, under the auspices of first, retired Bishop Thomas J.
Welsh, D.D., J.C.D, and then Bishop Edward P. Cullen, D.D in 1998.
In October 1990, official permission to proceed was received from Rome. The first phase of the Canonization
process – the “Diocesan Inquiry” began and Father Ciszek was given the title “Servant of God.” Over the next 16
years, materials and documentation spanning Fr. Ciszek’s entire life were accumulated. Collected information included
documentation of his 30year absence from America that included captivity for more than two decades in the former Soviet
Union and his return to America, which was followed by priestly work at the John XXIII Center at Fordham University, now
known as the Center for Eastern Christian Studies at the University of Scranton. Personal correspondences, writings
(both published and unpublished), photos, interviews with members of his family and friends and thousands of pages of
other assorted documentation were assembled and catalogued at the Father Ciszek Center in Shenandoah, PA.
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In February 2006, all accumulated documentation was prepared for shipment to Rev. Paolo Molinari, S.J., Jesuit
Postulator General in Rome, Italy for official presentation to Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The materials
and files were transported to the Allentown Diocesan Chancery where they were sealed by Bishop Cullen and Rev. Msgr.
Anthony D. Muntone, Co-Postulator of the Cause for Canonization and Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Whitehall.
They were then sealed in three specially designed crates each weighing approximately 120 pounds each. The crates had
to be constructed to keep moisture out and to fit the items
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Bishop Cullen places his seal on the shipment before its four day journey
to the Vatican.
(photo by John F. Simitz - A.D. Times)
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properly. Everything had to be tightly packed and sealed to avoid any type of damage to the files. Also, special
security arrangements were required – the crates had to be under constant video surveillance except while in flight.
The crates were then transported by a special shipping company to the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York to board a
flight to Brussels, Belgium, before arriving in Rome and being placed into the hands of Vatican officials four days
later. About 3 weeks later, Msgr. Muntone joined Father Molinari in Rome to present the documents to the Congregation
for the Causes of Saints. In May 2007, as was required, boxes containing original copies of the documentation that was
sent to Rome were placed in a sealed archival room in the Diocesan Bishop's office.
The crates, specially designed for the shipment,
were constructed to keep moisture out
and were electronically equipped to be under
constant video surveillance except during flight.
(photo by Brian Mulvihill - A.D. Times) |
Msgr. Muntone witnesses the closure
of the crated shipments.
(photo by Brian Mulvihill - A.D. Times)
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Once the Congregation formally opens the documents the second phase of the process begins, which entails the
Congregation officials examining both the testimony given by the witnesses and all the evidence contained in the
documents assembled during the diocesan phase. The Congregation next appoints a "Relator," whose responsibility it
will be to oversee the preparation of a "Positio," an exhaustive exposition of the life and virtues of Father Ciszek.
Finally the theologians of the Congregation will consider the theological aspects of the cause. Then the Positio and
the observations of the theologians will be presented to the cardinals and bishops who are members of the Congregation.
If all meets with their approval, the results of their study will be submitted to the Holy Father, with whom rests the
decision as to whether it has been shown that Father Ciszek lived a life of heroic virtue. If that decision is positive,
the Congregation will wait for the results of investigations into two miracles. If the first is accepted, Father Ciszek
would be beatified. With the acceptance of the second miracle, he would be canonized.
If anyone has received an answer to prayer through Father Ciszek's intercession that seems miraculous, they should
send notice of it to Msgr. Muntone at St. Elizabeth Rectory, 618 Fullerton Ave., Whitehall, PA 18052.
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