Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Jesuit Priests/Vimeo

The Pope has agreed this Irish priest performed a miracle

Pope Francis approved the beatification of John Sullivan SJ.

THE POPE HAS approved the beatification of an Irish priest who died in 1933.

Archbishop Eamon Martin welcomed the news that Pope Francis approved the beatification of Venerable John Sullivan SJ, who was a Jesuit priest.

He was declared ‘Venerable’ by the Pope in 2014, and now the Pope has agreed that Fr Sullivan performed a miracle. The move means that Fr Sullivan could be canonised by the pontiff.

According to the Fr John Sullivan website, a number of ‘miracle cures’ happened to people with whom he prayed, “including the dramatic healing of Michael Collins, nephew of Michael Collins, founder of the Free State”.

Collins had paralysis as a child. Fr Sullivan promised to say mass for him, and then later prayed “for a long time” over the child and touched his leg.

The “trouble” with the boy’s leg ended and “never recurred”.

He was also said to have cured a woman who had pernicious vomiting and was “practically a living skeleton”. She stopped vomiting after Fr Sullivan sprinkled her with holy water and said some prayers.

Fr Sullivan spent much of his life in Clongowes Wood College in Co Kildare.

Archbishop Eamon said today:

It is wonderful news that Pope Francis has approved the decree that has authenticated a miracle attributed to Jesuit priest Father John Sullivan. I know that the news will be welcomed by all those, in Ireland and around the world, who have a devotion to him and who have been inspired by his ministry.

He added:

Father John Sullivan had that readiness to serve those who were in need. It is because of his reputation as a holy and healing person that so many people still visit his tomb in Gardiner Street Church in Dublin each year to pray for his intercession.

In order to be beatified, a miracle must be believed to have taken place, or the late person must have been deemed a martyr.

Read: Refugees taken in by the Pope hail the pontiff as a “saviour”>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
222 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds