LORETTO — Near the burial place of Prince Gallitzin, and in a 200-year-old church described by the bishop as the “spiritual cradle” of Catholicism in the region, the formal inquiry began Sunday on why Gallitzin should be canonized.
In what Bishop Joseph Adamec described as a “first-of-its-kind event” in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, and under the elegant triple-arched ceiling of the historic Basilica of St. Michael in Loretto, oaths were administered to those who will eventually present to the Vatican their case for Gallitzin to be granted sainthood.
It was another milepost in the 7-year-old effort, which has been spearheaded by local historians Frank and Betty Seymour of Loretto, and which already has resulted in Gallitzin’s elevation to the status of “Servant of God.”
The 3 p.m. ceremony drew a large crowd, with every pew filled by 2:30, and many coming from other parishes.
“I have prayed, I have envisioned, and I have thought that it’s about time for this,” the bishop said.
He praised the Seymours and others, calling the canonization effort “a labor of love for the diocese, and for history.”
The son of a Russian prince who lived from 1770 to 1840, Demetrius Gallitzin gave up his wealthy heritage to bring Catholicism to this region.
“It is our belief that Fr. Gallitzin lived a life of heroic virtue and holiness – as one who had talked with saints and as one who had walked with the saints,” said literature distributed at the ceremony.
In 1815, Gallitzin himself wrote this about saints:
“They are landed already on the shores of eternal peace. We are yet tossed by the raging billows of a tempestuous sea. We stretch out our hands to them for help; we beg their intercession to obtain a safe landing.”
After Gallitzin’s death, his friend and fellow priest, Thomas Heyden, described him this way:
“He was born of princely parents; nursed in the lap of wealth and luxury. She laid before him all the temptations of earth – the goods of fortune, a princely inheritance, immense estates.”
By turning his back on such wealth to help others, Gallitzin showed himself to be “a man of God,” Heyden said.
“Had some persecutor asked him where were kept the treasures of the church, he could show where they were deposited by pointing to the crowds of poor whom he had fed, and clothed, and relieved from debt, and tell the tyrant, ‘these are the treasures of the church ... I gave it not to them. I gave it to God.’ ”
The pamphlet, which summarizes the foundation of the diocese argument for Gallitzin’s sainthood, also quotes biographer Sarah Brownson, who in 1873 referred to Gallitzin’s “saintly character.”
It also quotes Charles Schwab, who in 1899 said, “The memory of Prince Gallitzin and his noble work will endure for all time. He erected a monument more lasting than metal or granite in the hearts of his devoted followers.”
The next step in the long push for canonization will be to eventually forward the case for Gallitzin’s sainthood and other information to the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints.
Adamec said he continues to seek information on Gallitzin or evidence of miraculous intervention.
Eight saints have been canonized for their good works in America:
• Isaac Jogues, 1600s, a missionary to Canada and the first Catholic priest to come to Manhattan Island. Canonized in 1930.
• Rene Goupil, 1607-42, a missionary to Canada and the United States with Jogues. Canonized in 1930.
• Frances Cabrini, 1850-1917, a missionary who helped Italian immigrants and founder of Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Canonized in 1946.
• Elizabeth Ann Baylen Seton, 1774-1821, founded the American Sisters of Charity, who care for the poor and sick. Canonized in 1974. The first American-born saint.
• John Neumann, 1811-60, a missionary and bishop of Philadelphia, traveled mountain roads to administer confirmation to a single child. Canonized in 1977.
• Rose Duschesne, 1769-1852, a missionary who ministered to Native Americans in the Midwest. Canonized in 1988.
• Katharine Drexel, 1858-1955, nicknamed “the millionaire nun” because she spent her inheritance to care for black and Native Americans. Canonized in 2000.
• Anne-Therese Guerin, 1798-1856, known as “Mother Theodore” and foundress of St. Mary-of-the-Woods diocese in Indiana. Canonized in 2006.
Homepage
Related Photos
Discussion
Ceremony is latest step in sainthood push for Prince Gallitzin
- Tribune-Democrat News Slideshow
- Latest News
-
-
Air Force to close 911th Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh
The Air Force says in a statement today that it plans to retire or transfer all seven C-130H2 aircraft from the base over the next two years.
-
Pa. Supreme Court issues rulings on Assembly lines
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court today explained its reasons for rejecting the state’s legislative redistricting plan last week, and a justice who disagreed with the ruling said this year’s races will have to be held under the existing, decade-old maps.
-
Woman shot in Farm Show parking lot
Pennsylvania State Police say a woman was shot in the parking lot of the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
-
Air Force to close 911th Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh
- Local News
-
-
Boil-water notice issued in Upper Yoder Township
A boil-water notice has been issued for a portion of Upper Yoder Township as crews work to repair a leak along Route 271. -
No NDIC jobs to stay in city
After years of political clashes and fiscal uncertainty, these are the facts of the National Drug Intelligence Center’s final days:
• 87: The number of employees losing their jobs as NDIC operations wind down this year.
• 57: The number of staffers, aside from those 87, who will be offered jobs in Washington, D.C.
• Zero: The number of NDIC-related jobs that will remain in Johnstown. -
Blogging with heart
I had a couple of interesting interviews over the past 24 hours. The first was with an ambitious Forest Hills High School junior who organized a Red Out across the district today in support of American Heart Association. Like many of those involved in Heart Association benefits, Spencer Ivock was inspired by his own family members' experience with heart disease.
-
Forest Hills junior puts his heart into Red Out
Forest Hills junior Spencer Ivock is “redding out” the schools today for his senior project.
-
Local pair accused of robbing home twice
A Johnstown couple has been charged with breaking into a Lower Yoder Township home twice in a four-month period – and then selling, for $103, some of the thousands of dollars in goods they alleged swiped.
-
Boil-water notice issued in Upper Yoder Township
- Sports
-
-
Bettis to learn Hall of Fame fate on Saturday
Super Bowl winners Charles Haley, Bill Parcells, Jerome Bettis and Ed DeBartolo Jr. are among 17 finalists who will learn Saturday if they are voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
-
Penguins sign Vitale to an extension
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed center Joe Vitale to a two-year, $1.1 million contract extension today, locking up a 26-year-old who has earned a regular spot in the lineup this season.
-
District 5 wrestling roundup: Somerset, Meyersdale, Chestnut Ridge advance
Jake Hayman knocked off the top-ranked heavyweight in the state as second-seeded Somerset beat No. 7 Northern Bedford 53-24 in the quarterfinals of the District 5 Class AA tournament on Thursday night.
-
Edmonton's Gagner scores 8 points in game; first since Lemieux
Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner had four goals and four assists in an 8-4 victory Thursday night over the Chicago Blackhawks – the first eight-point game in the NHL since Pittsburgh star Mario Lemieux did it on Dec. 31, 1988.
-
Peyton Manning’s doctor gives QB clearance to play
Peyton Manning is cleared to play football. Still not so clear is whether it will be with the Indianapolis Colts.
-
Bettis to learn Hall of Fame fate on Saturday
- Features
-
-
Events | Slippery slide
The 36th annual World Championship Ice Racing Series will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St., Johnstown.
- Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show a nine-day extravaganza
- Fat Friday fundraiser will back bandshell
-
- Lifestyles
-
-
Punxsutawney Phil vs. AccuWeather: Groundhog Day probably not last word on spring’s arrival
An annual ritual since 1887, a Feb. 2 public trek to Gobbler’s Knob in the north central Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney leads to speculation on spring’s arrival.
Big crowds gather to see the groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil get coaxed out of his burrow.
- Davis, Dujardin win lead honors at SAG awards
- Scorsese’s 'Hugo’ leads Oscars 11 nominations
-
Punxsutawney Phil vs. AccuWeather: Groundhog Day probably not last word on spring’s arrival
- Multimedia
-
-
T-D Sports Podcast 2/3/12
In today’s Tribune-Democrat sports podcast, Shawn Curts and sports editor Chris Morelli take a look back at some of their favorite Super Bowl memories – both Steelers and otherwise.
They also preview today’s sports section, which includes thorough coverage of Thursday night’s high school basketball games and wrestling matches. - [VIDEO] Party in Punxsutawney: Groundhog Day is about more than seeing shadows
- [VIDEO] Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction
-
T-D Sports Podcast 2/3/12
Komen Reverses Planned Parenthood Cuts
Official: 2nd Teacher Pulled From Calif. School
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Hiring Burst Pushes Jobless Rate Down to 8.3%
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Past Complaint About LA Teacher Comes to Light
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
Reaction Heated on Planned Parenthood-Komen Rift
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Madonna Nervous About Super Bowl Halftime Show
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
