Romana

On September 29, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints granted the nihil obstat for the opening of the diocesan phase of the cause of canonization for Ruth Pakaluk (1957-1998). In doing so, the Vatican confirmed her reputation for holiness and officially recognized that her life deserves to be studied with a view to possible canonization. The news was made public by the National Catholic Register on October 31, in an article considered accurate and reliable by the postulator. The same media outlet published an interview with Michael Pakaluk, husband of the now “servant of God.”

Born in New Jersey into a Presbyterian family, Ruth Van Kooy developed many interests in her youth: she played several instruments, enjoyed playing hockey, sang in choirs, and moved with ease on the theater stage. She studied at Harvard University, where she met her future husband, a non-practicing Catholic. At the time, she declared herself an atheist. At a certain point, however, both decided to take the search for truth seriously, which led to their conversion to Catholicism in 1980. Shortly afterwards, both joined Opus Dei as supernumeraries.

In 1982, Ruth Pakaluk founded a pro-life group at Harvard, and two years later she joined an association, Massachusetts Citizens for Life, of which she would be president from 1987 to 1991. She was known for her clarity in presenting arguments in defense of life and for her ability to persuade people with serenity and respect.

The couple had seven children. An aggressive cancer ended her life at the age of 41. Her testimony of faith, joy, and strength in the face of illness inspires many Christian families today, her postulator said.