Servant of God Prince Demetrius Gallitzin - Congregation For Saints Gives Approval To Continuing Process For The Servant Of God Demetrius A. Gallitzin - Catholic Register

Bishop Joseph V. Adamec of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has received permission recently from the Congregation for Saints of the Holy See to continue the diocesan process toward submitting the name of Demetrius A. Gallitzin for eventual canonization. This was in response to a required request for a “nihil obstat” submitted by Bishop Joseph. In effect, the Congregation states that it sees no obstacle at this time to proceed with the process that could result in a possible declaration of sainthood.

In the letter, the Congregation refers to the Reverend Prince as “Servant of God.” Any references to Father Demetrius Gallitzin are to carry that title for the remainder of the process period, which usually takes years.

A Task Force, chaired by Mrs. Betty Seymour of Loretto, has been doing preliminary work on studying the possibility of proposing the name of Demetrius A. Gallitzin to the Congregation for Saints for beatification and eventual canonization. As a result of their work, the first step was to write to the Holy See in order to obtain their approval. Besides the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, the Diocese of Erie is also represented on the Task Force. That Diocesan Church considers the Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin as their first Vicar General.

Bishop Joseph has already written to the Diocesan Bishops of Region III (Pennsylvania and New Jersey) for their input, as required by the process. The next step will be for him to appoint members to two commissions (historical and theological). Individuals will also be named to several positions relating to the process of presenting this Servant of God for beatification and canonization.

Through this news release, Bishop Joseph is informing the Faithful of the area of this development. He asks that anyone who knows of any useful information or miraculous intervention on the part of this Servant of God to inform the Chancery Office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown with details.

In his letter of March 10 to the Congregation for Saints, Bishop Joseph pointed out that Father Gallitzin never wavered in his service of the Church in the wilderness of Western Pennsylvania. He offered his life. He surrendered his wealth. He gave up his family. He refused offers of Episcopal Sees in the United Stated and Europe in order to continue to serve as the only priest within the area from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to St. Louis, Missouri. He spent himself totally in service of the Faith and as a model priest.

Bishop Joseph concluded his letter by saying that he believed that the Reverend Prince Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin should be honored by the Church in raising him up as an example of unselfish love, service, and Faith. He expressed the thought that God’s people of the Allegheny Mountains would be greatly encouraged in their Faith by hearing that the Holy See could recognize their evangelizer some day officially.