North Dakota woman could become a saint

BISMARCK — A western North Dakota lady may turn out to be a saint.

Bishop David Kagan, who leads the Catholic Diocese in Bismarck, introduced final month he has opened an investigation into whether or not Michelle Duppong could possibly be a candidate for beatification and canonization.

“Michelle has not but been declared a saint, and he or she would shrink from me even saying this in public, however her life is a lifetime of Christ-like goodness, compassion and the firmest religion I’ve ever encountered in any particular person,” Kagan stated throughout his announcement.

The girl, who grew up close to Glen Ullin, graduated from North Dakota State College with a level in horticulture. Duppong joined the Fellowship of Catholic College College students and have become a missionary for the group for six years.

She mentored a whole lot of school college students, together with on the College of Mary, in accordance with a information launch. Monsignor James Patrick Shea, who is also the president for the college in Bismarck, referred to as her a joyful and cheerful one who introduced a number of facets of her life collectively to be a witness for God.

“She was capable of reside the life that each one of us need for ourselves,” Shea stated.

After her missionary work, Duppong grew to become the director of grownup religion formation for the Bismarck Diocese. She was identified with most cancers in 2014 and died Dec. 25, 2015.

Duppong would turn out to be the primary saint from North Dakota if the Vatican decided she is worthy of canonization. Solely 11 saints come from the U.S.

Shea acknowledged lots of people are cheerful and endure in life. Saints are similar to bizarre folks, however the best way they cope with hardships and reside their lives is what makes them stand out, he stated.

Duppong gave her all, modified lives and was variety and joyful regardless of her ache throughout her battle with most cancers, Shea stated. Even seven years after her loss of life, folks proceed to speak and take into consideration her, he added.

“She’s nonetheless inspiring folks all of those years later,” he stated.

The diocese will collect proof concerning Duppong’s life. That features witness testimonials, details about her deeds, and personal and public writings. That proof will then go to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on the Vatican, which is able to decide if Duppong is a “servant of God.”

If the Catholic Church decides Duppong has “fame of sanctity,” which suggests her deeds are well-known, she could be deemed a holy particular person. An individual qualifies for beatification if a miracle is related to them, and two or extra miracles would enable for sainthood.

It’s unclear how lengthy the method may take.