The Cause
In 1949, after years of evidence gathering and witness testimony, the Cause for Canonization of Karl of Austria was formally opened.
Beginnings
When Karl was eight-years-old, a Hungarian stigmatist nun named Mother Vinzentia Fauland prophesied that the young Archduke should be enveloped in prayer because he would become Emperor, suffer greatly, and become a target of Hell. A small group was formed to pray for him and his intentions throughout his life.
Sr. Fauland’s prophesy came true some years later when Karl assumed the throne in 1916. He suffered greatly during his two year reign, and eventually was exiled to Madeira where he died at the young age of 34 in 1922.
Soon after, the group that had carried him in prayer throughout life now promoted him as a heavenly intercessor and advocate for peace. The group gained ecclesiastical status and became known as the Kaiser Karl Gebetsliga für den Völkerfrieden—the Emperor Karl League of Prayer for Peace Among Nations.
Today, the League of Prayer serves as the promoter for the Cause of Canonization of Blessed.
Path to Beatification
1923Canonization Inquiry Begins
Wilhelm Miklas (President of the Republic of Austria from 1928-1938), petitions the Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna, Dr. Friedrich Gustav Piffl, requesting that the necessary steps to begin the process of canonization of the Emperor be undertaken.
1925Gebetsliga Established
Bishop Sigmund Waitz (later Archbishop of Salzburg), gives ecclesiastical approbation to the Kaiser Karl Gebetsliga für den Völkerfrieden. The diocesan process of gathering evidence and testimonies, interviewing of witnesses, and compiling a definitive biography begins.
1949“Servant of God”
The Cause for Canonization of Emperor Karl is introduced at the Vatican. Karl is given the ecclesiastical title of “Servant of God.”
29 October 2002Heroic Virtues Approved
The Heroic Virtues of the Servant of God are approved by the panel of nine theologians and forwarded to the bishops and cardinals of the Congregation of Saints for their approval to present a decree of Heroic Virtue to the Holy Father.
12 April 2003“Venerable”
The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, proclaims the Heroic Virtues of the Servant of God giving Emperor Karl the title of “Venerable.”
20 December 2003Miracle for Beatification
A decree promulgating a miracle attributed to the Venerable Servant of God was read before Pope John Paul II. The miracle concerns a Polish sister whose leg was healed.
“Blessed”
On 3 October 2004, Pope Saint John Paul II proclaims Emperor Karl “Blessed” in a Beatification Mass in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Over 50,000 people are in attendance.
“From the beginning, the Emperor Charles conceived of his office as a holy service to his people. His chief concern was to follow the Christian vocation to holiness also in his political actions. For this reason, his thoughts turned to social assistance. May he be an example for all of us, especially for those who have political responsibilities in Europe today!"
Pope Saint John Paul II
Homily, Mass of Beatification, Saint Peter's Square, October 3, 2004
