Role Model Touted by John Paul II to Be Canonized

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 9, 2008 (Zenit.org).- With a miracle attributed to his intercession, a young Trappist monk proposed by Pope John Paul II as a model of Christian life for young people, is set for canonization.

The Polish Pontiff offered the example of Blessed Rafael Arnáiz to young people at the World Youth Day of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, in 1989. Benedict XVI approved Saturday the publication of the decree of approval of a miracle attributed to his intercession.

Brother Rafael, as he is widely known in Spain, authored spiritual and mystical works and his reputation of sanctity extended well beyond the walls of his monastery.

He was born in 1911 and died in 1938, at age 27, of a painful fight with Diabetes Mellitus. The youth studied architecture in Madrid and was an avid photographer. He spent just four years in the monastery before his death.

He was beatified by John Paul II in 1992.

In addition to the decree regarding Blessed Rafael, Benedict XVI also approved decrees regarding eight other causes.

Miracles were approved as due to the intercession of:

-- Blessed Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, Polish archbishop of Warsaw (1822-1895);
-- Blessed Arcangelo Tadini, Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth (1846-1912);
-- Blessed Francesco Coll y Guitart, Spanish professed priest of the Order of Friars Preachers and founder of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1812-1875);

-- Blessed Mary of the Cross Jugan (born Jeanne), French founder of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor (1792-1879);
-- Blessed Caterina Volpicelli, Italian founder of the Institute of Handmaidens of the Sacred Heart (1839-1894).

Decrees were promulgated recognizing the heroic virtue of the following:

-- Giacinto Bianchi, Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Institute of Missionary Daughters of Mary (1835-1914);
-- Andreas Van Den Boer (born Jan), Dutch professed brother of the Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy (1841-1917);
-- Marie Clare of the Child Jesus Galvão Meixa de Moura Telles e Albuquerque (born Libania do Carmo), Portuguese founder of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (1843-1899).

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