Vatican postulator in Acadiana over weekend to collect documentation on two possible saints

The postulator who will present the causes for sainthood for Charlene Richard and Auguste “Nonco” Pelafigue at the Vatican was in Acadiana this weekend to collect documents in both matters.
The Rev. Don Luis Escalante received a 300-page Historical Commission Report on the history of the causes for Richard and Pelafigure, toured the Acadian Museum in Erath, which has an exhibit on Richard, and conferred with people who are close to both causes.
Richard, a 12-year-old child from Acadia Parish, died of leukemia in 1959 after offering redemptive suffering and prayers for the souls of others. Her death received great notice among Catholics in Acadiana and her reputation quickly spread as an intercessor. She has been known locally for decades as “The Little Cajun Saint.”
Pelafigue of Arnaudville, a schoolteacher, led a quiet life of prayer and service to the Sacred Heart before his death in 1977. An effort has been underway for almost a decade to name him a saint.
Escalante said Friday he had been at work on Pelafigue’s cause for about seven years; on Charlene’s cause for about two. He said he expected both causes to be presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints next year. If the congregation approves, the case will be presented to Pope Francis, who can approve the process of beatification or canonization.
Escalante said the Pelafigue file has a few cases to be reviewed for possible miracles or intercessions. The Richard file, he said, extends to 10 boxes of materials in which people have prayed for Charlene to intercede on their behalf to God.
Some 10,000 people a year visit her grave at St. Edward Catholic Church, the church where she attended and is buried.
Escalante said both causes will require proof of a miracle, which must be rigorous.
“Many times, you believe you have a good case but Rome is very strict in judging a real miracle. The standards are high,” he said.
Escalante compared Charlene’s case to that of Jacinta Marto, one of three children who witnessed the miracles at Fatima in Portugal. Like Charlene, Escalante said, Jacinta died a child and offered her suffering to save the souls of others.
He said both candidates represented the best of Cajun culture: Simple, devout people.
“We are thankful the Lafayette Diocese is dealing now seriously with two candidates who are the best of the best,” he said.