Beatification

Several thousand faithful, hundreds of priests and five bishops attended Marthe Robin's funeral in Châteauneuf-de-Galaure on 12 February 1981.

The process began five years after Marthe Robin died on 6 February 1981. Five years later, the Foyers de Charité asked the bishop of Valencia, Bishop Marchand, to open a process of beatification. The bishop appointed Fr Ravanel, a member of the Foyers de Charité, as postulator of the cause. The diocesan inquiry for the beatification of the "Servant of God" began in 1986.

Two experts (a theologian and a historian) were appointed to conduct this inquiry in 1988. The first element taken into consideration was Marthe Robin's saintly reputation among the Christian faithful. Then, between 1988 and 1996, more than 120 witnesses and experts were consulted. At the end of this inquiry, a 17,000-page document (critical biography, witness statements, relevant writings and other documents) was submitted to the Congregation for the Cause of the Saints in Rome. At this point, Marthe Robin was known as a Servant of God. Fr Bernard Peyrous became the Postulator of the Cause.

Examination by the Roman Congregation: a decree of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints confirmed the validity of the diocesan inquiry on 24 April 1998. The Roman authorities then prepared the documentation to be submitted for examination by the historians and theologians who give a critical opinion, and then by the Promoter General of the Faith – formerly known as the "devil's advocate" – whose role is to present any arguments against the beatification or canonisation. The cardinals and bishops deliberate last. The Positio, a 2,000-page summary of the beatification file, which presents the results of this diocesan inquiry, was completed on 6 May 2010.

Heroic in virtue: The congress of cardinals and bishops then decides whether to refer the case to the pope for the declaration of heroic virtue, that is to say, "the perfection of human and Christian love, and its deployment throughout life". Marthe Robin was declared venerable by Pope Francis on 7 November 2014.

The recognition of a "miracle": In December 2014, a file presenting a miracle obtained through the intercession of Marthe Robin was submitted in Rome. Beforehand, the miracle was the subject of a diocesan inquiry. It was studied by the Roman Congregation for the Causes of Saints using testimonies, documents and scientific expertises.

First of all, two experts in the disease that the person was suffering from must be appointed to examine the broad lines of the case. Then a commission of doctors examines the case in detail...

If the doctors come to the conclusion that the healing cannot be explained given the current state of scientific knowledge, then a committee of theologians will be assigned the task of deciding whether it can be described as a "miracle" in the order of faith.

If the commission in charge of this examination recognises the validity of the miracle, the pope can then decide to declare Marthe Robin "blessed" on a date of his choice. The celebration would take place in the diocese of Valence (where Marthe Robin lived).