Current state of the cause of Beatification of Claude Poullart des places
Conclusion of the process in Paris
On November 16, 2005, Jean Savoie, the Postulator for the cause of Claude Poullart des Places in the Archdiocese of Paris, presented the results of the diocesan inquiry to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. We are indebted to our confrere for his patient tenacity in bringing this work to a successful conclusion.
The document was then studied by the same Roman Congregation. They asked for a few more precisions concerning, above all, the form of the local inquiry. Finally, the decree of validity was signed on May 24, 2008. So this stage of the process is now completed, and should lead to the recognition of the heroicity of the virtues of our Founder and his beatification if the Lord sends us a miracle that can be attributed to his intercession.
The need to pray and to get others to pray
Much the progress of these causes (including those of Libermann, Laval, Brottier and Shanahan) depends on our faith in God and our conviction of the sanctity of these confreres. It is this conviction that gives good reason for all of these steps, and it is our trust in their intercession that will enable us one day to venerate them publicly. So once again, all confreres are encouraged to pray through the intercession of Claude Poullart des Places and to organize others to do likewise. His concern for poor seminarians and his great desire to see them ordained priests could indicate a particular direction for our prayers. His whole life was dedicated to walking with young men towards the priesthood we can pray that he could send us those whom God is calling to be priests arid religious, so that in turn they will dedicate themselves to the service of the poor as priests or brothers. Let us have the courage to ask Claude that our Seminaries and novitiates be once again filled with young men who owe their vocation to him.
Suggested prayers, the first by Claude himself, and another addressed to God through his inter-cession follow: "May my heart and my mind be filled with you alone my God, and may I always live in your presence." "Spirit of Pentecost, You who called Claude-Francois Poullart des Places to evangelize the poorest of people by founding a community of priests among them, help us to follow his example. Glorify him in your Church and grant the requests that we confide to his prayers. Amen."
Information regarding a possible miracle should be addressed to the Postulator General, JeanJaccues Boeglin, Seminaire Francais, Via Santa Chiara 42. Rome 00186, Italy.
Email: j.boeglin@email.it