The Process
1st Step:
Beatification
The Postulator
The first step was to establish a petitioner for the cause, the association Les Amis du Père Caffarel . The petitioner appointed a postulator, Father Paul-Dominique Marcovits, o.p. The Archbishop of Paris formed a commission, tasked with conducting the Diocesan Inquiry on his behalf. He appointed Monsignor Maurice Fréchard to chair this commission, two theologians to examine the theological and spiritual quality of the writings, and three historians to deepen the understanding of Father Henri Caffarel’s biography, his personality, his spirituality, and their significance in the historical context.
Steps Towards Beatification
April 25, 2006
The cause for canonisation, of which beatification is the first step, was opened on April 25, 2006.
October 18, 2014
Under the authority of the Archbishop of Paris, the closing session of the Diocesan Inquiry took place on October 18, 2014.
November 10, 2014
The dossier was submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome on November 10, 2014, to begin the Roman phase of the process.
October 9, 2015
The Decree of Validity, recognising the dossier’s conformity, was pronounced on October 9, 2015 by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The Congregation then appointed a relator from within its ranks. A Roman postulator, Father Angelo Paleri, and a writer of the Positio, Father Paul-Dominique Marcovits, were appointed. The Positio is a kind of thesis, presenting the life, work, and practice of virtues of the Servant of God, the holiness of his life, based on the Diocesan Inquiry.
June 24, 2022
November 2022
A new Roman postulator for the cause was appointed in November 2022: Father Zdzislaw Kijas.
2023
The Positio was given in 2023 to the Theological Consultors of the Dicastery for examination. It was then reviewed by the Cardinal members of the Dicastery.
March 23, 2026
On March 23, 2026, Pope Leo XIV authorised the recognition of Father Henri Caffarel’s heroic virtues. With this decree, Henri Caffarel received the title of Venerable.
Beatification can be proclaimed after the recognition of a miracle.
Only someone who is “alive” for us, someone who lives with us, who draws us closer to God, who inspires us to charity for others, and who is also a source of peace for ourselves, is beatified. Therefore, what is now important for us is to turn to him often and confidently seek his help.
Two Ways of directing our Prayer
Let us ask the Lord for graces through the Intercession of Father Henri Caffarel
Many indeed ask a saint to help them in the multitude of events in their daily lives. Father Henri Caffarel is often asked to intercede with the Lord for marital problems, for reconciliations… but also for many material and physical matters… Asking him to intervene with God shows that Father Henri Caffarel is present in our daily lives, that we believe his action, so fruitful on earth, is also – and even more so – fruitful now that we believe he is in heaven, in the presence of God.
Let us ask the Lord to perform a Miracle through the Intercession of his Servant, Father Henri Caffarel
A miracle is a physical, instantaneous, definitive healing. A miracle is a “confirmation from heaven.” It confirms what the Church wishes to proclaim: the holiness of the Servant of God, who can then be received as an example by the faithful. If, through the prayer of Father Henri Caffarel, God intervenes in an extraordinary way in someone’s life, this confirms Father Henri Caffarel’s holiness.
Write to the Postulator
We would be grateful if you would communicate to the Roman postulator the graces you receive: they are signs of Father Henri Caffarel’s presence among us.
It is amidst these graces that a miracle will be given by God to His people.
By post:
The Postulator, Association “Les Amis du Père Caffarel”, 49 rue de la Glacière – 75013 PARIS
