Opening of the Cause

Charlene Marie Richard was officially declared a Servant of God on January 11, 2020, when the Diocese of Lafayette opened her cause for canonization. This marked the first formal step in the Church’s process of recognizing a saint.

The Diocesan Phase

During this initial phase, officials gathered testimony, historical records, and evidence of Charlene’s reputation for holiness and intercessory power. This local investigation has now concluded.

Next Steps at the Vatican

The collected documentation is being prepared for submission to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. There, theologians and historians will assess whether Charlene lived a life of “heroic virtue.” If affirmed, she will be declared Venerable, the next milestone toward beatification and canonization.

Current Devotion and Influence

Although she remains at the Servant of God stage, devotion to Charlene continues to grow throughout Louisiana and beyond. Her gravesite in Richard, Louisiana, has become a place of prayer, pilgrimage, and ongoing witness to her influence.