The postulator studies the candidate's writings, practice of heroic virtue, and the existing devotion to the servant of God. Father McGivney was born in Waterbury, Conn., on Aug. 12, 1852. Conn. He died from tuberculosis at age 38 on Aug. 14, 1890. Father McGivney is interred at St. Mary's in New Haven. Archbishop Cronin's permission was sought because Father McGivney lived and worked in the then Diocese of Hartford, and it will be the work of the archdiocesan investigation to study any proposed miracles worked by God through the intercession of the candidate for sainthood.
Additional procedures lead to the eventual canonization.
Archbishop Cronin will also seek the approval of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops on the appropriateness of initiating the cause, according to norms established by the Holy See's Congregation for the Causes of Saints. He is scheduled to do that at the bishops' meeting in June. The Order's Board of Directors approved Father O'Donnell's appointment at its April meeting. Following that, Supreme Knight Dechant formally petitioned Archbishop Cronin to authorize Father O'Donnell to represent the Order in this effort. Archbishop Cronin offered his prayers of support to the effort.