Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Marquette (Agenzia Fides) – The Diocese of Marquette is investigating an possible miracle attributed to Servant of God, Bishop Frederic Baraga (1797-1868). The official inquiry will move the cause for Bishop Baraga's canonization forward, which was opened for the prelate in 1952. The tribunal working on the case is scheduled to begin its process today, March 12.
Father Ronald Browne, who has been appointed to lead the work of the canonical tribunal, explained the story behind the alleged miracle. “We have a case involving what was thought to be a tumor on a patient's liver that showed up on various tests, including a CT scan and an ultrasound. However, when exploratory surgery was done, there was no tumor to be found,” Fr. Browne said. The cure seems to have taken place after the patient's family invoked the intercession of Bishop Baraga and placed his stole on the sick person's abdomen. Following the prayers, the patient said that the pain in the abdominal area went away.
Bishop Baraga was born in 1797 in Slovenia and came to the United States as a missionary to the upper Great Lakes Region (which includes the State of Michigan) in 1830. Ministering to the Odawa and Ojibwa Native American tribes, the bishop is said to have traveled throughout the 80,000 square mile territory by means of boat, canoe, horse, dog sled, and even snowshoe. Often called the “Snowshoe Priest,” he was consecrated as Bishop of Marquette in 1853 and served there until his death in 1868. Bishop Baraga is also credited with writing a Ojibwa/English Dictionary, still in use today.
In a recent press conference, the current Bishop of Marquette, Alexander K. Sample mentioned his own personal devotion to the Servant of God, from his seminary days, and said: “As his eleventh successor, I am thrilled at the prospect of a miracle that will advance his cause. I give thanks to God for his, holy, priestly, example.” (AR) (Agenzia Fides 12/03/2010)
