SAINTS OF NEW YORK:

VENERABLE FÉLIX VARELA

SPRING 2022

THE PROCESS OF CANONIZATION USUALLY REQUIRES decades of advocacy, investigation, and deliberation. First, a diocese must submit a “cause” to Rome and wait for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to approve it.

In 1983, 130 years after his death, the Vatican declared Félix Varela a Servant of God and granted approval for the Archdiocese of Havana to initiate his cause.  The Cuban Bishops’ Conference started its investigations in 1995, and submitted a positio (an extensively documented report) to Rome in 1997.

In 1998, a second positio was requested, this one from the Archdiocese of New York. Havana’s report showed Varela to be a great intellectual and patriot; but the Vatican was looking for accounts of heroic virtue. New York’s positio was published in 2011, and Varela was declared Venerable in 2012.

To achieve sainthood, the Cuban priest now needs to have two confirmed miracles. Usually these involve a documented medical cure as a result of prayer. Several possible miracles are being investigated. If one is confirmed, Varela will be beatified and receive the title of Blessed. Should a second miracle be confirmed, the way will be clear for him be canonized.

When and if that day comes, there will be joy in the Catholic communities of Havana, St. Augustine, and New York.

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