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The postulator is a representative of the community of the faithful, in this case of the Society of Mary, before the competent authority. He deals with the causes of beatification or canonization before a diocesan tribunal or before the Congregation of the Causes of Saints of the Holy See collaborating with them in the search for truth.
Practically speaking, the postulator with the help of experts gathers and prepares all the documentation necessary for the diocese where a cause of beatification is opened. In the case of Fr Colin the diocese is Lyons.
The documentation consists of a biography of the servant of God which gathers the principal aspects of his virtues, the collected published and unpublished writings of the servant of God, and if in the writings show theological or historical problems the postulator submits these to experts in theology or history.
The postulator also prepares a list of witnesses to present at the beginning of the process, and he writes the request to present to the bishop for the introduction of the cause or its reopening in the case where it was interrupted.
He follows with attention and dedication the cause into its initial diocesan phase and later in its Roman phase.
The first step is to determine the reputation for holiness of the servant of God and if he has lived the virtues heroically. This is followed by the writing of a positio (a dossier) which gathers together the testimonial and documentary proof , and any evidence which dispels possible doubts about the heroic character of the virtues (faith, hope, charity, justice, fortitude, temperance, and prudence).
To complete the process, i.e. to arrive at the beatification, a miracle which has come about through the intercession of the servant of God is necessary to confirm the work done by men and women.
Father Carlo-Maria's article in 'Forum Novum', Jan 2013, 'Causa Colin - Yesterday & Today':
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