Mother Maria's 
Biography in Brief 
and Time Line 
of Mother Maria's 
Cause for Beatification

1880    January 6 - Casimira Kaupas born in Ramygala, Lithuania.

1902    October 27 - Casimira Kaupas begins training with Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, Ingenbohl, Switzerland.

1905    November 2 - Casimira and two companions begin religious training with Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, Pennsylvania.

1907    April 19 - Pope Pius X approved establishment of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Casimir.

1907    August 30 - Profession of Mother Maria Kaupas, Mother  Immaculata Dvaranauskas, Mother Concepta Unguraitis.

1907     October 7 - First school opened at Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania.

1909    Most Reverend E.J. Quigley, Archbishop of Chicago, selects site for Motherhouse in Chicago.

1911    Motherhouse in Chicago dedicated. St. Casimir Academy opened in the Motherhouse.

1913    Mother Maria Kaupas elected first Superior General of Sisters of  Saint Casimir.

1920    Mother Maria and four sisters establish a foundation of the Sisters of St. Casimir in Lithuania at Pazaislis.

1928    Mother Maria assumes Holy Cross Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

1932    Villa Joseph Marie High School for Girls in Holland, Pennsylvania opens.

1933    Lithuanian Government bestows highest decoration, the Order of the Grand Duke Gediminas, on Mother Maria, SSC, in recognition of her work for the Lithuanians in America.

1933    Mother Maria diagnosed with cancer.

1937    The Congregation's apostolate broadens to non-Lithuanian parishes with the opening of two schools in New Mexico.

1940    April 17 - Mother Maria dies at the Motherhouse surrounded by her Sisters.

1943    Archbishop Samuel Stritch of Chicago grants imprimatur for prayer of beatification for Mother Maria Kaupas.

1980    John Cardinal Cody of Chicago receives permission from the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints to prepare materials for the beatification process.

1986    June - Maria Kaupas named "Servant of God."

1996    March- Introduction of the Cause of Beatification of Maria Kaupas in Rome.

1999    May- Exhumation of Maria Kaupas from St. Casimir Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Her blessed remains were placed in a newly built white carrera marble sarcophagus in the SSC Motherhouse Chapel. Some of the marble used for this was initially part of the altar railing in the  Motherhouse chapel  which was removed during an earlier renovation. The altar railing gates which were removed at the time contained the symbol of the lily, sword and crown done in mosaic.

    This mosaic, now provides a beautiful enhancement for Mother Maria's sarcophagus.  It depicts Mother Maria's mission and charism, leading all people through our various ministries to Our Lord and Our Lady to whom she had great devotion. The tower of the Motherhouse is set in the upper right corner along with the tower of Pazaislis in Lithuania - the two foundations she had established. The waves represent the ocean she had crossed to come to America and to return to Lithuania to establish our Congregation.

2000   February - Sister Margaret Petcavage, SSC Vice - Postulator for the Cause of Mother Maria, completes the 972 page "Positio,"  that represents the heroic and virtuous life of Mother Maria.

2000   October - Positio printed. The Relator General, Rev. Ambrose Eszer, O.P., wrote a wonderful presentation for the beginning of the book. Many of his comments indicated he certainly supported the beatification of Mother Maria. The Positio now goes to a Commission for further investigation and will need to be "defended" by the Promoter of Faith. Should the contents of the book be accepted by the Commission and also receive the "yes" of the Holy Father, then Mother Maria will be declared "Venerable." 

2001   October - Chicago's Francis Cardinal George presented the "Positio" to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, while attending the Synod of Bishops in Rome. At dinner with His Holiness, Cardinal George presented the "Positio" bound in white satin, and explained it to be the heroic virtuous story of Mother Maria Kaupas. The Pope was very interested and said that he loves to read about Servants of God and that he will examine this book. All through the lunch the Pope had the book with him and talked about how happy he was about this Lithuanian woman (Mother Maria Kaupas) who went to America. He stated that he can't wait to read the story. With a favorable review of the "Positio" and the Pope's approval, Mother Maria could be declared "Venerable" in the foreseeable future.

Outline of the Canonization Process

    In the Catholic faith, before someone is named a saint, there is a process that must be followed. Below is an outline of the canonization process.

Major Stages

Steps to Beatification

    Beatification requires recognition by the Church of an extraordinary event, that is one that cannot be explained according to the laws of human science and is attributed to a Divine intervention through the mediation of the Servant of God who has been invoked by the faithful. Such recognition by the Church has to go through several successive stages:

Steps to Canonization

    Requires the recognition by the Church of an event that is extraordinary and occurred after the Beatification, and is examined in the same steps as above in Beatification.

To date, Mother Maria's Cause for Beatification continues in Rome.

Monthly Masses

    The Sisters of St. Casimir have been having monthly Masses since 1989, praying for the beatification of their Foundress, Mother Maria. Over the years, the Masses have been attended by many. This Eucharistic Liturgy is held on the first Saturday of each month, at 9:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel, 2601 West Marquette Rd., Chicago, Illinois. The Sisters of St. Casimir invite everyone to participate in the Mass and stay to enjoy "Coffee And" afterwards.

Prayer for the Beatification of Mother Maria

    O LOVING Jesus we beseech You, grant that Your servant, Mother Maria, who was imbued with Your Eucharistic Presence while on earth, may through the intercession of Your Immaculate Mother and Saint Casimir, be glorified by visible signs and miracles; so that for Your glory and salvation of souls, she may, by Your power be declared Blessed. Amen.

    Gracious God, we praise and thank you for your faithfulness and love. You have blessed us with the example of your servant, Maria Kaupas, whose deep faith in your presence, love for the Eucharist, and zeal in fostering the faith life of others continue to inspire us. Help us to continue life's journey with a heart filled with a profound faith in you and that trust which is born of love. We ask this through Jesus our Lord and the power of the spirit. Amen.

Donations

    The Beatification Process can be a lengthy and costly procedure, so the Mother Maria Kaupas Fund was established for financial assistance from our friends and benefactors.

    If you would like to make a donation to the Mother Maria Kaupas Fund, please make your check payable to the Mother Maria Kaupas Fund and mail it to:
Mother Maria Kaupas Fund, The Sisters of St. Casimir, 2601 West Marquette Road, Chicago, IL 60629-1817.

    The Sisters gratefully and prayerfully remember each donor and their intentions daily  through the intercession of Mother Maria.

For more information on Mother Maria

Contact the Sisters of St. Casimir and request a copy of the booklet entitled "Loving You." You may call 773-776-1324 or write to Sisters of St. Casimir, 2601 W. Marquette Rd., Chicago, IL 60629.