Saint Oscar Romero is primarily attributed with one significant miracle recognized by the Catholic Church, which played a pivotal role in his canonization. This miracle involved the inexplicable recovery of a woman from a critical medical condition.
The Miracle for Sainthood
The specific miracle that paved the way for Oscar Romero's canonization involved a Salvadoran man whose wife had slipped into a severe coma after giving birth. Faced with this dire situation, he fervently prayed to Archbishop Óscar Romero for divine intervention. Against all medical odds, his wife made a full and complete recovery, a healing that was deemed medically inexplicable.
Key aspects of this recognized miracle include:
- The Supplicant: A Salvadoran man, who placed his faith in Romero's intercession.
- The Ailment: His wife's severe coma, which occurred immediately after childbirth.
- The Intervention: Through prayer directed to Oscar Romero.
- The Outcome: A complete and medically unexplainable recovery of the woman, leading to her survival.
This event was meticulously investigated and verified by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints, confirming it as the necessary miracle for Romero's elevation to sainthood.
Significance of Miracles in Canonization
In the process of canonizing a saint, the Catholic Church typically requires the verification of miracles attributed to the candidate's intercession. These miracles serve as divine confirmations of the individual's holiness and their powerful intercession with God after their death. For martyrs like Oscar Romero, one verified miracle after beatification is usually sufficient for canonization. The miracle attributed to Romero satisfied this stringent requirement, affirming his sanctity and paving the way for his official recognition as a saint.