News of the Cause for Montse Grases

On April 26, 2016, Pope Francis, after meeting with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, authorized the publication of the decree declaring Montse Grases venerable.

The process of gathering information about Montse Grases took place in Barcelona. It was initiated by Archbishop Gregorio Modrego Casaus on December 19, 1962, and was concluded on March 26, 1968, under the authority of the new Archbishop, Marcelo González Martín.

During the following years the cause proceeded more slowly, due to the reforms of the norms governing causes of canonization carried out by Blessed Paul VI and St. John Paul II. During that time Montse’s reputation for holiness continued to grow.

On May 15, 1992, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints declared the validity of the diocesan process. But they also decided to carry out a supplementary process of information gathering to enrich the materials gathered earlier. This additional process took place in Barcelona in 1993, and on January 21, 1994, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints decreed its validity.

On November 21, 1999, the Positio on the life and virtues of the servant of God was presented. On June 10, 2015, a meeting of the theological consultors for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints gave an affirmative reply to the question regarding the heroic exercise of the virtues by Montse Grases, and on April 19, 2016, the ordinary congress of the cardinals and bishops ratified this reply.

On Tuesday April 26, 2016, Pope Francis received from Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, a detailed summary of the phases of the cause. The Holy Father ratified the vote of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and authorized the publication of the decree declaring Montse Grases venerable.

The news was made public the following day, April 27, liturgical feast of our Lady of Montserrat.