Bishop Gallegos’ Cause goes to Rome

Frs. Eliseo and Samson stand in St. Peter's Plaza in Rome

“All roads lead to Rome.” Last November 5, 2006, with God´s help, we successfully closed the diocesan process of beatification and canonization for Bishop Alphonse Gallegos, OAR. On November 6, 2006, Fr. Samson Silloriquez, Postulator General, and I flew from San Francisco, California, to Rome to personally deliver all of the documentation gathered throughout the process. It was a privilege to have been entrusted with this responsibility.

We presented the material to the Congregation for the Cause of Saints on November 10, 2006, and the boxes were unsealed on November 11th. During our visit to the congregation we greeted the Prefect of the congregation, Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, and told him about our work.

Cardinal Saraiva & Fr. Eliseo at the Office of the Congregation of Saints

The life of Bishop Gallegos is now in the hands of God and Rome. We now await word that our brother be recognized as a blessed and a saint. Bishop Alphonse has returned to Rome in a different manner than when he was alive. His life of humble service to God´s people has brought him back to Rome. We hope to see the day when we, along with Bishop Gallegos, return to Rome to witness his name inscribed in the list of recognized saints within the Catholic Church.

I feel blessed and privileged to have heard all the testimonies and witnessed the love that the faithful to this day have for this wonderful man. My life has been greatly enriched through this entire process, as Notary for the cause. I thank God for allowing us to successfully finish this initial phase and I continue to pray for the beatification and canonization of Bishop Gallegos. May Our Lady of Guadalupe, whom Bishop Gallegos loved dearly, intercede so that some day we may all go to Rome to witness the canonization of our brother, Bishop Alphonse Gallegos. After all, “all roads lead to Rome.”

Fr. Eliseo González, OAR

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