Mother Elisabeth Bruyère, Servant of God
In 1977, at the request of His Excellency Bishop Joseph-Aurèle Plourde, Archbishop of the Diocese of Ottawa, the introduction of the cause of canonisation of Elisabeth Bruyère was granted by the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, at the Vatican.
In 1999, the Positio was sent to the above Congregation. This is a document proving that the virtues of the candidate for canonization were practised to a heroic degree. What do we mean by the "heroic quality of virtues"? It is not a question of particularly difficult deeds or acts of bravery, nor is it the presence of mystical gifts or phenomena that transcend human nature. The actions referred to can be those of the majority of people, simple activities of daily living, or activities pertaining to a particular profession or state of life. It is the manner in which these acts are accomplished that reveals a supernatural motive of faith, hope and charity. This virtuous disposition must be constantly maintained despite the obstacles encountered in life. It is not a question of sinlessness or absence of human frailty, but of a dominant and confirmed attitude of the soul that permeates the person's behaviour. To these characteristics must be added the presence of gratuity with which this generosity and availability for service are practised.
Since the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints has acknowledged receipt of the Positio, a first phase of its study has been completed and approved.
Presently, it is absolutely necessary that a miracle be obtained and recognized by the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints as authentic and truly attributable to the intercession of the Servant of God. What do we mean by "miracle"? It must be a relatively sudden and stable cure of an illness that doctors have declared incurable.
