On Thursday May 22, 2014 Cardinal Seán O'Malley, archbishop of Boston, presided over the closing session of the diocesan phase of the cause of canonization for Father Joseph Muzquiz. The session took place at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center.
At the session's conclusion, the boxes containing the evidence gathered through the diocesan investigation, including declarations from witnesses and other documents, were sent under seal to the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints. This ends the local stage in Father Joseph’s cause of canonization and the process now moves to Rome.
Soon after his cause was opened in June 2011, Cardinal O’Malley said: “We are blessed that the cause of sainthood for Father Joseph Muzquiz, the priest who brought Opus Dei to the United States, is taking place here in the Archdiocese of Boston. We need to hear more about priests, religious and lay people who faithfully lived their vocation to holiness in contemporary times. Father Muzquiz showed us that the virtue of everyday heroism can be achieved by all people of good faith who open their heart and soul to the gift of God’s graces.”
For a transcript of Cardinal O'Malley's remarks, click here.
Here are news reports that appeared in the Boston archdiocesan newspaper, The Pilot, and the news agency, Rome Reports.