Foundress takes sainthood step

The foundress of an order of Carmelite sisters who minister in the Albany Diocese has taken a big step toward sainthood.

On April 13, a ceremony at St. Teresa's Motherhouse of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Germantown marked the closing of the diocesan phase for the beatification and canonization of Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory, O.Carm.

More than 10,000 pages of documents, officially known as "the Acts," which detail her life and holiness, will soon be on their way to Rome to be examined by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

"It's a great day of thanksgiving and joy for us," said Mother Mary Suzanne Sapa, O.Carm., current superior general for the order.

Biography

Mother Angeline was born in Ireland in 1893 and raised in Scotland. She began her religious life in 1912 with the Little Sisters of the Poor.

While living in the Bronx in 1929, she and six other sisters decided to found a new community to make homes for the elderly "a home away from home" where they could maintain their dignity.

In a 1979 interview with The Evangelist, Mother Angeline recalled her dream to create facilities where senior citizens had "greater freedom and independence,...more homelike care, private rooms, allowing them to make a cup of tea for themselves, providing for married couples to stay together, letting the residents come and go as they pleased and caring for all classes of aged people."

Growth

The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm grew rapidly, and eventually founded 24 facilities for the elderly in the U.S. and Ireland.

More than 200 Carmelites still staff 21 nursing homes in the Northeast, Florida and Ireland. In the Albany Diocese, the sisters serve at Teresian House Nursing Home in Albany.

Mother Angeline, who served six consecutive terms as mother general, died on Jan. 21, 1984, her 91st birthday. Within five years, her sainthood cause was introduced in the Diocese, and she was named a "servant of God," an initial step in the process.

Process begins

In 1992, after studying and approving Mother Angeline's writings to be sure nothing was contrary to the Catholic faith and morals, the Diocesan Tribunal began interviewing witnesses to her holiness.

Rev. James Donlon, judicial vicar for the Tribunal, was appointed episcopal delegate for the cause for Mother Angeline's beatification and sainthood. He interviewed 73 witnesses to her life and ministry, including several who had pored over talks, newsletters and other items she wrote.

One of those was Mother Suzanne, who lived with Mother Angeline for several years.

"Mother's influence was so extensive," the superior general remarked. "She was a holy, unassuming woman who radiated simplicity and great joy and love of God. She was so welcoming to everyone -- she made people feel loved in her presence."

Charism

Father Donlon felt he came to know a woman whom he had never met.

"I learned about Mother through witnessing her sisters: their commitment, their ministry, their lives," he remarked.

He characterized Mother Angeline as "a very spiritual woman, very human at the same time, who had a tremendous love for the elderly, the suffering, the dying -- and a great love for Jesus. Based on my experience, I certainly think she warrants the Church's consideration" for beatification and sainthood.

Ceremony

Last week's ceremony included a Mass celebrated by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, concelebrated by 27 other priests, and attended by 300 laypersons and religious.

Documents completing this phase of the process were signed in the presence of the Bishop. The documents will be sent to the Vatican.

"Twenty-three years [after her death], we've finally gotten to this point!" exclaimed Mother Suzanne. "It's exciting for us. We're turning the corner now, beginning the next phase with great appreciation and thanksgiving."

Ironically, Mother Suzanne said that the foundress wouldn't have enjoyed the pomp and circumstance of the closing ceremony: "She would have been the last person to want to be in the spotlight."

Next step

In Rome, Mother Angeline's cause will be taken up by Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, a layman who has been postulator for several other sainthood causes. He will take the case to the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

That process is likely to take many years. Father Donlon noted that, while there is nothing to keep it from moving forward, there are also no time limits. He gave the example of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, who lived in what is now the Albany Diocese. Her cause has been under consideration since 1939. (She was beatified in 1980.)

Miracles sought

The superior general hopes to see some progress during her lifetime.

"Miracles would ultimately be required for Mother Angeline to be declared a saint," she added.

The Carmelites have asked that people not only pray for their foundress' beatification and canonization, but also report any favors they believe they have received through her intercession.

A number of such favors have already been reported. One in particular "might be in the category of a potential miracle," said Mother Suzanne.

(4/19/07) [[In-content Ad]]