Sacred Milestones

1876 Frances Schervier dies in Aachen, Germany, on December 14.

1934 Apostolic Process opened in Rome. Decree issued for Introduction of the Cause of Frances Schervier, Tertiary of the Third Order of Saint Francis.

1969 On January 30, 1969 Pope Paul VI proclaims the “heroicity of the virtues” of Mother Frances and declares her “Venerable.”

1972 On October 18, 1972 Pope Paul VI, on appeal by Rev. Johannes Pohlschneider, Bishop of Aachen, grants an apostolic dispensation from the prescript contained in Canon 2117 of the Code of Canon Law, so that after a legally valid verification and full examination of only one miracle, the cause might pass to the next phase.

1973 The “medically inexplicable” and sudden cure of Mr. Ludwig Braun from a life threatening pancreatic and intestinal ailment is recognized as the miracle necessary for the Beatification of Mother Frances. The decree recognizing the miracle is signed on October 18, 1973 by Pope Paul VI.

1974 Beatification of Mother Frances Schervier - Mother Frances Schervier is beatified on April 28 in Rome by Pope Paul VI. Beatification also means that Frances is now called “Blessed.”

1989 In March an unexplainable and sudden cure is experienced by Mr. Thomas Siemers, who had a massive brain hemorrhage. Three medical doctors have no scientific explanation and one says it was “divine intervention” and another says “somebody up there likes him.”

2008 The Cause for Canonization of Blessed Frances Schervier is introduced in Rome on July 16 by Sr. Tiziana Merletti, SFP, Congregational Minister of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor and Sr. Katharina Maria Finken, Superior General of the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis.

2009 The Opening Session of the Diocesan Inquiry Process takes place on April 17 in Cincinnati, Ohio to gather evidence on the cure of Mr. Thomas Siemers. Closing Session of Diocesan Inquiry on December 14 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2010 On March 17 the official documents from the Diocesan Inquiry in Cincinnati were opened in Rome.