Msgr. Nelson H. Baker, V.G. (1841-1936)
Canonization Update

In the months since Father Baker's remains were transferred into the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory, the "Padre of the Poor's" cause for canonization has been steadily gaining momentum.

A visit from a Rome official last June led to an announcement that three vials of bodily fluid, recovered when the earthly remains of Father Baker were exhumed in Spring of 1999, were being studied closely by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican. The intense study was brought about after it was discovered that the Father Baker's blood was still in "a liquid state" after more than 60 years since his death.

These recent events are just the latest twists in the humble priest's cause for canonization which began back in 1987. At that time, Bishop Edward Head, the former Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, petitioned the Holy See to look at Father Baker as a candidate for sainthood. It didn't take the officials in Rome too long to see what thousands of folks throughout the country already knew -- Father Baker was a very special man. He was named "Servant of God" on October 7, 1987, thus reaching the first step of three on the long and arduous Road to Sainthood.

In the Spring of 1999, Bishop Henry Mansell, D.D., the current Bishop of Buffalo, acting upon a suggestion from the Congregation, proposed the removal of Father Baker's remains from nearby Holy Cross Cemetery and into the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory. On March 11 of that year, thousands of curious and devout friends, well-wishers, and religious pilgrims turned out to pay their respects to the humble priest in his new resting place and to welcome him back to the shrine he built.

When Father Baker's grave was opened, a separate vault was discovered, buried on top of the one which contained his earthly remains. This smaller vault held three vials of bodily fluid taken from Father Baker at the time of his embalming in 1936. Although the discovery of the small vault was a surprise, the containers were found in remarkable condition and immediately sent for testing.

During the Spring of 2001, the Congregation established a tribunal in Western New York to obtain information concerning further details of Father Baker's life, and, specifically, the vials of fluid which were removed when the humble priest was re-interred in 1999. Over the course of several weeks, sworn testimony was taken by official eyewitnesses to the transferral of Father Baker's remains, and has since been transcribed, translated into Italian, and sent to Rome for review.

This page updated June 2001