A Saint in New Jersey?

Venerable Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, SC (1901-1927)

Pope Francis recently approved a decree attributing a miracle to the intercession of a New Jersey nun, thus paving the way for her beatification.

According to the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Venerable Miriam Teresa Demjanovich (1901-27) is a candidate for sainthood “because of her saintly life, her striving for perfection in her religious life, her spiritual writings, the mystical privileges accorded her by God during life, and the favors received by others after her death through her intercession with God.”

Who is Sister Miriam Teresa?

Teresa Demjanovich, a 20th Century American girl, was born in Bayonne, New Jersey in 1901, the youngest of seven children of Alexander and Johanna (Suchy) Demjanovich, Ruthenian immigrants to the United States from what is now Eastern Slovakia. Teresa received Baptism, Confirmation, and her First Holy Communion in the Byzantine-Ruthenian rite of her parents.

Where did she live out her brief life?

After attending Bayonne public schools Teresa entered the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, New Jersey. She was graduated with highest honors in 1923. Two years later, in 1925, she entered the community of Sisters of Charity at Convent Station. After profession of vows as a Sister of Charity, Teresa died in Saint Elizabeth Hospital, Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1927. She was 26 years of age.

Why is she being considered for Sainthood by the Catholic Church?

Because of her saintly life, her striving for perfection in her religious life, her spiritual writings, the mystical privileges accorded her by God during life and the favors received by others after her death through her intercession with God, the Sisters of Charity petitioned Rome for permission to open her Cause for Beatification and Canonization.

What is the present status of her Cause for Beatification/Canonization?

The first half of the beatification process is the acceptance of the Positio Super Virtutibus (Her heroic virtues and holiness).  This has been approved by the theologians and ordinaries (Bishops and Cardinals).  Her name was submitted to the prefect of the Congregation of Saints who then gave her name to Pope Benedict XVI.

On May 10, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI decreed that Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, SC, was of heroic virtue and can now be called Venerable.

The second part of the beatification process, the Positio Super Miro (a miraculous cure) can only be considered after the acceptance of the Positio Super Virtutibus.

Our case is that of a young boy who was declared legally blind due to bilalteral macular degeneration. Through the intercession of Sister Miriam Teresa, his sight was restored.  This case will have to be reviewed and approved by the medical experts, the theologians and the ordinaries (Bishops and Cardinals) that there was an unexplainable medical cure and that the cure is attributed to prayers to Sister Miriam Teresa and her intercession.

Prayer for Beatification

Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, Whom Sister Miriam Teresa loved so ardently, grant that we, like her, may become ever more conscious of your Divine Presence within our souls. We implore you to show signs that your humble servant enjoys glory with you in Heaven, and to hasten the day when we may render her a public tribute of our veneration and love.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen