EMMITSBURG, Md. — The last time an American saint was canonized, Pope Francis stood before tens of thousands in Washington, D.C., and declared Junípero Serra, founder of the first Spanish missions in California, a saint.
That was in 2015.
Now, in the second year of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate — the first American elected to the papacy — representatives of more than 30 causes for canonization gathered Sept. 12-13 at The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton here, where the second annual “Saints on Their Way” gathering brought together guild members, postulators, canon lawyers, families and others working on causes at various stages of the canonization process.
Most Catholics know the names of saints. Far fewer know what happens before someone gets there.