"We approve the virtues, in heroic degree, of the Servant of God Mary Frances of the Cross"
(Benedict XVI)
ANNOUNCEMENT
Venerability of Mother Frances Streitel
DECREE
Venerability of Mother Frances Streitel
HOMILY
Venerability of Mother Frances Streitel
“VENERABLE" MOTHER FRANCES
March 27, 2010 – Pope Benedict XVI, accepting and ratifying the vows of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, declared:
"The theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity towards God and neighbor as well as the cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude and those attached, in heroic degree, of the Servant of God Mary Frances of the Cross (born Amalia Franziska Rosa Streitel), founder of the Congregation of the Sorrowful Mother.”
What does "heroic virtues" actually mean?
Let us listen again to the words of Card. Angelo Amato, delivered to the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother on April 11, 2010. As the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, during a solemn Mass in the chapel of Casa Generalizia, Rome, on the occasion of the proclamation of the Venerability of Mother Frances Streitel, said:
"Heroic virtues have two aspects. First, they attribute to Venerable Mother the faithful exercise of the seven basic virtues of Christian life: the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, infused at baptism; and the cardinal virtues of prudence, fortitude, justice and temperance, fruit of the Christian's grace and personal commitment. The Church today has recognized that the Mother has lived these virtues fully, which constitute the path to Christian perfection.”
"She rose above mediocrity"
Card. Amato continued: "Secondly, the heroics of the virtues means that the Mother was so outstanding in the exercise of these virtues that she aroused wonder and amazement in others, especially in her Sisters.
That is to say, Our Venerable rose above mediocrity. Just as the martyrs, who give their lives for Jesus, are considered heroes by the Church, so the Servants of God, who bear witness throughout their lives to the goodness and charity of Christ, are called "confessors" by the Church, that is, heroes of the Christian virtues.
In short, the heroic practice of the virtues emphasize the exceptionality, the splendor, the high degree of the virtuous deeds of our Venerable Mother, who observed the commandments and the evangelical counsels, in a superior, lasting, uninterrupted manner and in difficult circumstances".
"Saints are not born, they become"
"Saints are not born, they become. The Blessed Mother made a laborious pilgrimage but with perseverance on this spiritual path to perfection. Let us imitate her on this Easter path of sanctification. As she followed Jesus on the cross, now the Blessed Mother rejoices with him in the joy of the Resurrection.”