Closing of the Cause for Canonization of Charlene Richard

     During the ceremony, which will be held at 10 a.m. just outside St. Edward Church in Richard, Louisiana, Bishop J. Dougas Deshotel and a notary will receive the oaths of the people involved in the Cause, stating that they have completed their parts. The investigation material will then be transported to Rome by Rev. Korey Lavergne, Pastor of St. Edward Church, and Rev. Taylor Reynolds, Episcopal Delegate. The Vatican will then begin the Roman Phase of the Inquiry. Please join us in Richard for this historic event; all are joyously invited to attend.

     Charlene Richard was born on January 13, 1947. After being diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia, she died on August 11, 1959, at the age of 12. During her last days on earth at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, Charlene would offer her prayers and suffering to God each day for different people with miraculous results. Since that day, thousaands of people have come from all over the world to pray at her tomb in Richard with many who have testified to her extraordinary intercession.

     Your prayers will accompany Bishop Deshotel as he closes and blesses the work here in Acadiana in order for her case to be sent to the Vatican. Officials will state under oath that they have honestly and diligently completed their investigation and that now the case is ready for the next stage, for Vatican officials to begin their work. Your presence at this ceremony demonstrates to Pope Francis your belief that Charlene’s prayers are powerful to so many people in need of help.

     The more than one thousand pages of documents prepared carefully by expert volunteers are now an official record of how Charlene (a pre-teenager, daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, athlete, cancer patient, hero…) lived a heroic life of Faith, Hope, Love, Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude. With our love and prayers, the pages of this investigation will be entrusted that day to the Official Courier, Rev. Korey LaVergne, Pastor of Charlene’s home parish of St. Edward in Richard, and begin the long journey to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints directly across from Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

     Your presence on January 13 is a plea to Pope Francis to tell the world what so many of us already believe that Charlene Richard is a powerful Saint needed by the world in our day and times as a sign of hope that God loves us and helps us through heavenly witnesses (Rev. 8:4).

     Will you join us on January 13 at 10 a.m. to say, “Please, please, Pope Francis, canonize Charlene as soon as possible! Holy Father, tell the world there is now a ‘Cajun Saint’ and her prayers are powerful before God, and so needed in our day!”?

     Here is your chance to take part in the history of the Saints. It’s time to tell the world! The bigger the crowd, the better! Shuttles (Four by Four’s – the Cajun way!) will lovingly transport you from your vehicle to the stage area by Charlene’s tomb. Set your GPS for 1463 Charlene Hwy, Church Point, LA. It will be a short ceremony, but bring a folding chair if you need one. Bring an umbrella, but pray for a sunny day. Souvenir prayer cards will be available. Special space for the handicapped, dignitaries, clergy, Charlene’s family, and officials. Bishops and clergy will again bless Charlene’s tomb on this momentous day which has been awaited for over 50 years!

     All are joyously invited to attend and be a part of history!