US Catholic Bishops Advance the Canonization Causes of 2 American Women - A Nun - Sr. Annella and a Lay Doctor - Dr. Barber
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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at its November Fall 2024 plenary assembly voted to advance the canonization causes of two American women: Servant of God Gertrude Agnes Barber and Benedictine Sister Annella Zervas. The majority of the bishops voted in favor of advancing the causes of both Zervas and Barber following presentations by Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota, and Bishop Edward Lohse of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The assembly voted 206-7 vote in favor of Sister Zervas and a 205-6 vote in favor of Dr. Barber. Here are the details about each of the saintly women:U.S. Bishops Affirm Advancement of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Dr. Gertrude Barber
The bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the local level. At their November Plenary Assembly, the bishops of the United States held a canonical consultation on the cause of beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Dr. Gertrude A. Barber.
The bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the local level. At their November Plenary Assembly, the bishops of the United States held a canonical consultation on the cause of beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Dr. Gertrude A. Barber.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, and Bishop Edward M. Lohse of Kalamazoo and a member of the same committee, facilitated the presentation of the cause to the bishops. With 205 votes in favor, 6 votes against, and 19 abstentions, the bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the local level.
A brief biography of Dr. Gertrude Barber was provided by the Diocese of Erie:
Dr. Gertrude Agnes Barber was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on September 16, 1911. After the death of her father during the 1918 flu pandemic, her eldest brother left school to support the family, ensuring his siblings could continue their education – a sacrifice that had profound impact on Gertrude’s lifelong advocacy of education.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and began her career as a teacher in the Erie School District in 1931. While teaching, she continued her education, earning a master’s and doctoral degree in education, becoming a school psychologist and administrator. Her work with children with special needs profoundly impacted her and in 1952 she opened her first class for children with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Barber’s mission expanded throughout her career, opening the first home for children with disabilities in 1958. In 1971, she left the Erie School District to lead an organization serving individuals of all ages, providing care for children from 24 area school districts, adult training and job placement services, group homes and recreational programs, a retirement center for adults in their senior years, and mental health support services.
Dr. Barber passed away on April 29, 2000, but her legacy continues through the Barber National Institute, which provides services to thousands of children and adults with autism, intellectual, and physical disabilities and behavioral health challenges and their families across Pennsylvania.
The cause of beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Dr. Gertrude A. Barber was formally opened by Bishop Lawrence T. Persico of Erie in December 2019.
BALTIMORE - At their November Plenary Assembly, the bishops of the United States held a canonical consultation on the cause of beatification and canonization of Sister Annella Zervas, a professed religious of the Order of Saint Benedict.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, and Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, facilitated the presentation to the bishops. With 206 votes in favor, 7 votes against, and 11 abstentions, the bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the local level.
By a voice vote, the bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the local level.
A brief biography of Dr. Gertrude Barber was provided by the Diocese of Erie:
Dr. Gertrude Agnes Barber was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on September 16, 1911. After the death of her father during the 1918 flu pandemic, her eldest brother left school to support the family, ensuring his siblings could continue their education – a sacrifice that had profound impact on Gertrude’s lifelong advocacy of education.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and began her career as a teacher in the Erie School District in 1931. While teaching, she continued her education, earning a master’s and doctoral degree in education, becoming a school psychologist and administrator. Her work with children with special needs profoundly impacted her and in 1952 she opened her first class for children with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Barber’s mission expanded throughout her career, opening the first home for children with disabilities in 1958. In 1971, she left the Erie School District to lead an organization serving individuals of all ages, providing care for children from 24 area school districts, adult training and job placement services, group homes and recreational programs, a retirement center for adults in their senior years, and mental health support services.
Dr. Barber passed away on April 29, 2000, but her legacy continues through the Barber National Institute, which provides services to thousands of children and adults with autism, intellectual, and physical disabilities and behavioral health challenges and their families across Pennsylvania.
The cause of beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Dr. Gertrude A. Barber was formally opened by Bishop Lawrence T. Persico of Erie in December 2019.
BALTIMORE - At their November Plenary Assembly, the bishops of the United States held a canonical consultation on the cause of beatification and canonization of Sister Annella Zervas, a professed religious of the Order of Saint Benedict.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, and Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, facilitated the presentation to the bishops. With 206 votes in favor, 7 votes against, and 11 abstentions, the bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the local level.
By a voice vote, the bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the local level.
U.S. Bishops Affirm Advancement of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of Sister Annella Zervas, OSB. The bishops affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization at the local level.
A brief biography of Sister Annella Zervas was provided by the Diocese of Crookston:
Anna Cordelia Zervas was born on April 7, 1900, in Moorhead, Minnesota. From a young age, she exhibited a deep devotion to the Eucharist and prayer and attended Mass daily. At age fifteen, she entered the convent of the Benedictine Sisters in St. Joseph, Minnesota. She received the Benedictine habit in 1918, receiving the name Sister Mary Annella, made her simple profession in July 1919, and her solemn profession in July 1922. Sister Annella was known for her devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary, as well as for her kindness, generosity, sense of humor, musical talent and artistic abilities.
About a year after her solemn profession, Sister Annella began suffering from a severe, undiagnosable illness. The illness was marked with extreme physical suffering that eventually prevented her from living in the monastery and forced her to return to her family for care. Despite the pain, Sister Annella maintained unwavering faith and joy, and she focused on the spiritual welfare of others, inspiring others with her kindness and calm. Holy Communion was her greatest consolation in her suffering, and she trusted that God had a special reason for her suffering, and that He would bring it to an end when He wished, remarking, “I am buying my ticket for eternity, and it is well worth the price.”
Sister Annella passed away on August 14, 1926, at the age of 26. She is remembered as an “apostle of suffering for our day,” with her life serving as a testament to radical trust in God and full obedience to His holy will. Central to Sister Annella’s legacy is her belief that the Eucharist is life’s greatest consolation, teaching the importance of recognizing God’s true presence in this sacrament. Her life serves as an example of profound trust and obedience, offering a model of holiness for Catholics around the world.
Source: Combined USCCB Releases
A brief biography of Sister Annella Zervas was provided by the Diocese of Crookston:
Anna Cordelia Zervas was born on April 7, 1900, in Moorhead, Minnesota. From a young age, she exhibited a deep devotion to the Eucharist and prayer and attended Mass daily. At age fifteen, she entered the convent of the Benedictine Sisters in St. Joseph, Minnesota. She received the Benedictine habit in 1918, receiving the name Sister Mary Annella, made her simple profession in July 1919, and her solemn profession in July 1922. Sister Annella was known for her devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary, as well as for her kindness, generosity, sense of humor, musical talent and artistic abilities.
About a year after her solemn profession, Sister Annella began suffering from a severe, undiagnosable illness. The illness was marked with extreme physical suffering that eventually prevented her from living in the monastery and forced her to return to her family for care. Despite the pain, Sister Annella maintained unwavering faith and joy, and she focused on the spiritual welfare of others, inspiring others with her kindness and calm. Holy Communion was her greatest consolation in her suffering, and she trusted that God had a special reason for her suffering, and that He would bring it to an end when He wished, remarking, “I am buying my ticket for eternity, and it is well worth the price.”
Sister Annella passed away on August 14, 1926, at the age of 26. She is remembered as an “apostle of suffering for our day,” with her life serving as a testament to radical trust in God and full obedience to His holy will. Central to Sister Annella’s legacy is her belief that the Eucharist is life’s greatest consolation, teaching the importance of recognizing God’s true presence in this sacrament. Her life serves as an example of profound trust and obedience, offering a model of holiness for Catholics around the world.
Source: Combined USCCB Releases
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