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On September 29, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican granted a nihil obstat to the cause for beatification and canonization of Ruth V.K. Pakaluk.
What this means is that there is "nothing in the way" for the local Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, to begin the cause. With this announcement, she can be officially referred to as "Servant of God," the first step in a long road before she can be known as a canonized saint.
It is now up to the Diocese of Worcester to investigate her life and to determine if she lived a life of "heroic virtue." After that, the Vatican will review the case again and then she could be declared, "venerable." Miracles through her intercession would then need to be verified if she will ever be beatified.
Who was Ruth Pakaluk?
Many have come to know about the life of Ruth Pakaluk through the book, The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God. It contains various letters from Ruth that were compiled and edited by her husband, Michael Pakaluk.
It features an introduction by Peter Kreeft, who explains how she gave one of the strongest pro-life arguments he had ever heard.
Ruth was born in 1957 in New Jersey and was raised in a Presbyterian family. After graduating from high school, she attended Harvard University, where she met Michael.
At the time she was a practical atheist and a strong supporter of abortion. Yet, through her relationship with Michael they both began to pursue the truth and eventually became Catholic and were married in the Catholic Church. They also later joined Opus Dei and became supernumeraries.
While Michael was pursuing a doctorate in philosophy at Harvard, Ruth started a pro-life group at the university and was active in local pro-life groups for the rest of her life.
She raised seven children and was known as a devout mother up until her death from breast cancer at age 41.
Her holiness was a beacon for many in the neighborhood and the legacy of faith she left in family continues to inspire people today.
More information about her life can be found on a website dedicated to her cause. Her example is that of ordinary holiness, showing how sanctity can be achieved by mothers everywhere, no matter how simple their circumstances may be.
