American Servants of God and Blesseds
“The litany of saints is long, but not long enough!”
This November, LA Catholics invites you to journey with us through the lives of Americans who are on the path to sainthood. From Servants of God to Blesseds, each story reminds us holiness grows in our homeland — within our communities, our parishes, our families, and within ourselves. This month, join us in learning about these holy men and women, praying for them on their way to sainthood, and becoming inspired to walk the same path in our own lives.
Together, let’s fill the litany of saints — with American saints of the modern age!
“…we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…”
-Hebrews 12:1
To understand holiness, look to the saints || Scott Hahn
Catholics, from their earliest lessons in Vacation Bible School, are taught to prize holiness — to admire it in others and to strive for it in their own lives.
Meet Those on the Road to Sainthood
Servant of God Michelle Duppong
Born: January 25, 1984 Death: December 25, 2015 Cause for Sainthood Opened: June 2022 Declared a Servant of God: No... READ MORE »
Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey
Born: November 25, 1870 Death: July 31, 1957 Cause for Canonization Opened: unknown Declared Blessed: November 18, ... READ MORE »
Servant of God Father Edward Flanagan
Born: July 13, 1886 Death: May 15, 1948 Cause for Canonization Opened: February 25, 2012 Declared Servant of God: M... READ MORE »
Venerable Mother Mary Lange
Born: circa 1784 Death: February 3, 1882 Cause for Canonization Opened: 1991 Declared Venerable: June 22, 2023 Vene... READ MORE »
Check back each day to get to know another American on the path to sainthood!
Steps to Sainthood
Each step in the process is one of deep investigation, prayer, and discernment — confirming that the person lived a life of heroic virtue and holiness, and died in friendship with God.
Servant of God
Requirements:
- Typically 5 years after death
- Local bishop investigates their life, writings, and holiness
- Approved causes are sent to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints where the person receives title of Servant of God
Venerable
Requirements:
- The Vatican studies the person’s life to judge if it one of “heroic virtue”
- If Pope agrees with the findings, the person is declared Venerable
Blessed
Requirements:
- A verified miracle is attributed to the person’s intercession
- Once confirmed, the Pope declared the person Blessed
Privileges:
- The person may be venerated locally or regionally, but not by the universal Church
Saint
Requirements:
- A second verified miracle is attributed to the person’s intercession
- Once confirmed, the Pope declares that person a Saint
Privileges:
- The person is recognized as in heaven and worthy of veneration by the whole Church
Our God is a God of miracles || Archbishop Gomez
Want to learn about a local LA miracle that led to St. Pier Giorgio Frassati’s canonization? Archbishop Gomez tells the story in a column for Angelus News.
