A decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Sister Lucia dos Santos and declaring her Venerable was promulgated on Thursday, June 22 with the approval of Pope Francis. The decree advances Lucia’s cause for eventual canonization.
Sister Lucia (†2005) was the oldest of three shepherd children who witnessed the six monthly apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fatima in May-October 1917. Prior to that, the three children – Lucia (10) and her cousins, Francisco (9) and Jacinta (7) Marto – witnessed three apparitions of the Angel of Fatima (St. Michael the Archangel) in 1916, which prepared them for the later heavenly visits by Our Lady.
Francisco (†1919) and Jacinta (†1920) were canonized in 2017. They are the youngest non-martyr saints in the history of the Church, having died at ages 11 and 10, respectively.
Lucia’s cause for canonization was opened in 2008, after Benedict XVI granted a dispensation to waive the usual five-year waiting period. Since then, “[m]ore than 15,000 letters, testimonies, and other documents were collected during the diocesan phase of her cause, which concluded in 2017.” [Mares, CNA, June 22, 2023]
For Venerable Lucia to be beatified, the next step in the canonization process, a miracle attributed to her intercession will need to be approved by the Church.