It’s a long process, but one that’s moving forward! Anne-Gabrielle Caron is a little French girl who died of cancer at the age of 8 in 2010. After a four-year diocesan phase during which some 50 testimonies were gathered, her process of beatification is entering its Roman phase.
A Roman postulator has just been appointed in the person of Monsignor Denis Dupont-Fauville, canon of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and professor of theology in Rome. He tells Aleteia about the surprising set of circumstances that led him to this mission and the aspects of Anne-Gabrielle's personality that have already struck him.
He is responsible for drafting the Positio super Vita, Virtutibus et Fama Sanctitatis, the dossier that will present the evidence for her holiness. This is the document that ought to enable the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to reach moral certainty regarding Anne-Gabrielle's holiness.
Aleteia: You were appointed Roman postulator for Anne-Gabrielle's cause in early October. What does your role consist of?
Bishop Denis Dupont-Fauville: As soon as I was confirmed as Roman postulator, I sent a letter to the Dicastery requesting the opening of Anne-Gabrielle's cause. Once the legal validity of the file has been verified, my role will be to read all the documents from the diocesan investigation that were placed in boxes during the closing ceremony of the diocesan procedure on December 7 and brought to Rome by the former diocesan postulator.
I will then have to write a Positio, a summary, which is usually around 300 pages long, to show the exceptional character of Anne-Gabrielle and the heroicity of her virtues—that is, the extraordinary way in which she lived the Christian virtues. The Positio is submitted to the members of the dicastery for review. Then, they evaluate whether it’s worthwhile to propose it to the Pope so that the “Servant of God” in question may be declared venerable. It is a long process.
Do you have any idea how long it will take?
Bishop Dupont-Fauville: It’s a long and meticulous process, which usually takes several years. Recent examples such as John Paul II and Carlo Acutis may lead one to believe that canonization happens quickly, but these are rather exceptions.
Did you know about Anne-Gabrielle before being appointed postulator of her cause?
Bishop Denis Dupont-Fauville: The circumstances are quite surprising. The first time I heard about Anne-Gabrielle was through an article in Famille Chrétienne that I leafed through at someone's house. I was struck by her life and by the photos, and I said to myself, “This little girl is incredible!” And I did something I never do: I took a photo of the article with my cell phone.
Then, several articles about her in Aleteia served as reminders. Each time, this little girl impressed me with her smile and her spiritual maturity. And when I said in October 2024 that I would have more free time in the coming months, someone told me that they were looking for a postulator for a French beatification cause. I asked who it was. And when I was told “Anne-Gabrielle Caron,” I said, “I'll take it!”
Are there any requirements to be a Roman postulator?
Bishop Dupont-Fauville: Yes. You have to be an expert in theology, canon law, or history, depending on the case; reside permanently in Rome; and have taken the course to obtain the diploma that qualifies you to be a postulator. And this course, which only takes place once every two years for six months, began the first week of January, just when I was starting to have some free time! I took the exams in early July and obtained the diploma in September.
What impresses you about Anne-Gabrielle?
Bishop Dupont-Fauville: Many things! First of all, that grace that is unique to children: she doesn’t doubt for a single second the presence of God and his love. The more she suffers, the more she tells herself that the only one who can help her is Jesus.
What also strikes you instantly is the smile she has in the photos. You can tell that it's not a photo smile, but a smile that comes from the awareness of being loved by God, which is amazing in a child.
Another surprising thing for such a young child is her willingness to intercede. She wants to take on the suffering of the other children in the hospital. She is constantly confronted with suffering that she hates, but she dares to ask the Lord to burden her even more so that she can relieve the people around her. It's impressive.
