Sister Lucia dos Santos Declared ‘Venerable’ by Pope Francis

Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the three Fatima visionaries, has been declared “venerable” by Pope Francis.

This milestone is a significant advancement in her cause for sainthood.

The title recognises Lucia’s deep-seated virtue, and the confirmation of a miracle due to her intercession will be the next stage towards her sainthood.

Lucia, together with her young cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto, were the sole witnesses of the Marian apparitions in Fatima, 1917.

Pope Francis had previously canonised her cousins in 2017, notable as they are among the youngest non-martyr saints in the Church’s history. Unlike her cousins who passed away in childhood, Lucia lived a long life, dedicating her latter years to a Carmelite convent in Portugal.

The process investigating Lucia’s potential sainthood started in 2008, concluding in 2017 after reviewing over 15,000 documents, including testimonies and letters.

The acknowledgment of Sister Lucia’s virtues coincides with the Pope’s forthcoming visit to Fatima for the World Youth Day celebrations. This marks a significant moment for the Church, as Lucia’s advancement towards sainthood brings her one step closer to canonization.