Saint Stanislaus Papczynski — The Life and Writings

S AINT S TANISLAUS P APCZYNSKI 168 The above-described event was examined first in the diocesan process (2003-2004) and then in Rome by the consultative doc- tors, eminent professors (May 12, 2005), and consultative theolo- gians (September 20, 2006). On December 16, 2006, the Holy Father Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing a miracle per- formed by God through the intercession of the Servant of God Stanislaus of Jesus andMary Papczynski. On September 16, 2007, in Lichen, Poland, on behalf of the Holy Father Benedict XVI, the secretary of state of the Holy See proclaimed Fr. Stanislaus Papczynski a blessed. The Vatican-approved miracle attributed to the intercession of Marian founder stanislaus Papczynski that opened the way for his canonization. Barbara Rudzik was 20 years old and engaged to be married in June 2008. She had no history of any unusual diseases or medical conditions, but in February 2008, that all changed. She developed symptoms of a heavy cold. First she went to her family doctor, who prescribed flu medication. Seeing no improvement, Tomasz Sobolewski, Barbara’s fiancé, took her to the hospital where she was told she had nothing out of the ordinary wrong with her. But her symptoms became more acute. She experienced shortness of breath and severe chest pains. More hospital visits ensued. On February 24, Tomasz reported: “We went to the emer- gency room, and at my insistence a chest X-ray was done. I was anxious because the doctors maintained that they could not find any problem, yet my girlfriend was feeling so bad that she was forced to use the hospital wheelchair. She had already lost 11 pounds and looked awful.” The X-rays showed severe pneu- monia and dehydration. She was hospitalized at the local Mazurski Health Center, in ełk, Poland. The following day, she suffered complete respiratory failure and was placed on full life support under the care of Dr. Walde-