“An amazing journey of light and shade, twists and turns” - discovering the role of a postulator

Sr Anne Lyons PBVM is the Postulator for the cause of Venerable Nano Nagle, a role which she describes as an ‘unfolding story’ after being invited to take it on in 2020.

(Definition: A postulator is the person who on behalf of the Petitioner, initiates a cause by presenting to the Bishop of the diocese where the candidate for beatification died, a written petition with supporting documentation).

In October 2013, Nano Nagle was declared Venerable by Pope Francis. For the Congregation and wider Presentation network;  this was indeed a time of “high energy” observes Sr Anne.

Sr Anne Lyons PBVM

Sr Anne, who is based in County Laois, Ireland, explains that to be officially recognised as Congregational Postulator, she had to undertake a course of studies – a new advanced diploma course at the Lateran University in conjunction with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, from 2021-2023.   This involved the study of the historical, theological and legal dimensions involved in the process for the Canonization of Saints.  All courses were in Italian; and Anne tried to study the language alongside  her studies and exams.

Sr Anne says the other key dimension of being a Postulator is the ongoing promotion of the cause of Nano Nagle. “In July 2023 I got off the blocks quickly with a sense of urgency!”.

The first step of an ‘alleged’ miracle requires that the Postulator gather all the information relevant to the case.  The importance of record keeping is vital to the investigation and deliberation that follows – firstly at Diocesan level and if it is determined that it go forward for further scrutiny, it proceeds to Rome, for what is known as the Roman phase.  During the latter, a Postulator is required to reside there, where the medical experts and  theologians rigorously scrutinise the material submitted and  the outcome is determined.

Of the spiritual dimension of her role, Sr Anne reflects: “For the past ten months I’ve done everything I can to promote Nano’s cause, blowing into a flame the embers that are already there - “to make Nano known and loved.”   Modern means of communication have been deployed to the full in this mission – for instance, radio interviews and international zoom talks, connecting with Newfoundland and Australia, to name but two of the areas of the globe where Presentation Sisters live. But this certainly isn’t just outreach to Sisters, it’s also to Friends of Nano and others, so it creates a ripple effect. A recent Day of Reflection in Matlock, Derbyshire, attracted not just members of Friends of Nano, but new people, who “showed great interest in wanting to know about Nano Nagle and  the cause – requesting prayer cards and wanting to read more.” Additionally, all Unit leaders in the Congregation have been updated on the Cause and Anne is  and has been responding to requests  in the local communities.

On a practical level Sr Anne says the job of Postulator can be both “challenging and solitary. “ She has an advisory body of three whom she meets with on Zoom, and this is a great support.

Looking to the future, Sr Anne says there’s a great deal of anticipation ahead of 2025, which has been declared a Holy Year by Pope Francis – adding that December 24th 2025, will mark the 250th  anniversary of the founding of the Order in Cork by Nano Nagle.

For Nano Nagle to be declared a Saint at this auspicious time requires something concrete: “We’re on the hunt for a miracle” Sr Anne candidly declares –  “someone whom the Lord may use as an instrument of His  healing grace, though the intercession of Venerable Nano Nagle.”

For someone to be raised to the altars, it’s about having lived a life of virtue – the fame of holiness emanating from that person combined with the tangible signs -favours and miracles received through her intercession.  

“At the heart of it is the holiness of the person and the detection of the holiness of the person through the examination of their life.”

…“Nano Nagle was a pioneering women acting under the religious and societal restraints that were vigorously in force  in Ireland in the 1700s.”