Stalled in a traffic jam snaking up one of the M50’s off-ramps this morning–only in Ireland do road planners think motorways and roundabouts mix–I caught the tail-end of RTE’s Morning Ireland. It featured a report on the canonisation of the 19th-century priest Fr. Charles of Mt. Argus, due to take place this weekend in Rome*. (The Sunday Business Post report on this event seems a bit ahead of itself, with its reference to the “canonisation of St. Charles of Mt. Argus.”)

To attain the status of beatification, let alone that of canonisation, “one miracle must be proven to have taken place through the intercession of the person to be beatified, though this requirement is waived for those who died a martyr.” (I’m quoting from that esteemed theological source, Wikipedia, here.)

On the subject of miracles, the Morning Ireland report featured a story of a boy who had supposedly lost the power of his legs but was soon up and running around after by being blessed by Fr. Houben. Interestingly, the reporter referred to this incident as “one of many miracles that happened here [Mount Argus church],” without hedging “miracles” with the usual weasel words, such as “alleged” or “reported.”

Presumably, these adjectives are reserved exclusively for murder suspects and payments to senior politicians.

Reflecting on Fr. Charles’s restoration of ambulatory powers got me to thinking about French writer Emile Zola‘s observation about the shrine at Lourdes. Looking at the hundreds of abandoned crutches lining the avenue to the grotto, he is said to have asked where were all the wooden legs.

*Joe Walsh Tours has thoughtfully organized a hassle-free package deal for eager pilgrims.