Religion: American Saints

Many an American has died in heroic circumstances, but until lately it has not appeared that any North American has performed saintworthy miracles.* (No one who has not performed at least two miracles, and in addition died an heroic death, is canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.) In Vatican City last week, however, the Congregation of Sacred Rites passed by a comfortable majority the credentials of eight New York and Canadian martyrs (six Jesuits, two laymen), and the Holy Office prepared to canonize them as saints. The group was credited with...