Contact: Fr. Kevin Pius Manion, 512-773-5447

LOS ANGELES, June 19, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, expert in sainthood causes, will be attending the 'opening session' of the inquiry by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles into the life and heroic virtues of Fr. Aloysius Ellacuria, CMF (1905-1981) set for Thursday, June 25, 2015.

Father Aloysius was a Claretian priest who ministered in Southern California for nearly 40 years. On September 19, 2014 Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles accepted the petition made by postulator Dr. Andrea Ambrosi to open a Cause for Beatification of the 'Servant of God', Father Aloysius Ellacuria, CMF. In doing so the archbishop asked his Ecclesiastic Tribunal to carry out all necessary steps to instruct this archdiocesan process.

Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, a canon lawyer from Rome, is in the United States for the official closing of the inquiry into the life and virtue of Father Edward J. Flanagan (1886-1948), the founder of "Boys' Town" made famous by the Spencer Tracy movie of the same name. Dr. Ambrosi has been popularized in the press as a "saint maker." He has served as postulator for the causes of beatification and canonization for (Saint) Pope John XXIII, (Blessed) Father Michael McGivney, Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Father Patrick Peyton, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman, Anne Catherine Emmerick, Cardinal Terence Cooke, and Sr. Marie de Mandat-Grancy, among others.

In its edition of May 15, 2015 "The Tidings", the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, published the petition and included the words:

"Anyone who has useful information about Father Aloysius Ellacuria, CMF - that is, about his heroic virtues and/or about his reputation for holiness and for intercessory power - is asked to put this in a letter addressed to Archbishop Gomez in care of his office at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center, 3424 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010."

Historic for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, this is truly the first cause of sainthood ever to be brought to the attention of the Archbishop of Los Angeles, and it is undoubtedly an historic moment for the City of the Angels and the people of California.

Father Aloysius' cause for sainthood is being sponsored by the Association for the Beatification and Canonization of Fr. Aloysius Ellacuria, CMF. The documentary film, The Angel of Biscay, is available on the Servant of God's life and message. More information at www.aloysius.com.