Path to sainthood for Charlene Richard advances another step

LAFAYETTE — Efforts to have Charlene Richard recognized as a saint have advanced another step, with the Vatican accepting and approving the results of the Diocese of Lafayette’s investigation into the life and virtue of “The Little Cajun Saint.”
Richard, a native of Richard in Acadia Parish, died at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette on Aug. 11, 1959, at age 12, after a brief battle with leukemia. During the last two weeks of her life, Richard dedicated her suffering and prayers for the salvation of the souls of others.
Many people visit her gravesite in Richard and offer prayers seeking intercession and miracles. More than 1,600 people claim to have seen Richard in visions and dreams, according to testimonies filed with the Catholic Church.
The Diocese in 2024 wrapped up years of investigation that included gathering testimony and documents that were sent to the Vatican in Rome. A ceremony was held in Rome last year that included opening boxes that contained information the Diocese gathered.
The Diocese announced Thursday on its Facebook page that it received official notice from the Vatican “accepting and approving our investigation into the life and virtue of Charlene Richard!”
Next, the Roman Postulator, the Church official who advocates for a person’s canonization, guiding the case through the church’s legal process, and the Dicastery “will work to prove Charlene’s heroic virtue in hopes that she may soon be declared venerable,” the Diocese wrote on Facebook.
If Richard is declared venerable, her life would be publicly recognized and honored as venerable. Next, church officials would need to authenticate a miracle occurred that is attributable to Richard’s intercession, after which she would be declared blessed.
A beatification process would follow, whereby she could be treated locally as a saint.
If a second miracle is authenticated in Rome, the larger church could recognize Richard as a saint.