The Diocesan Cause for the beatification and canonization of Augustinian Servant of God, Father Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., was officially opened the evening of April 24, 2017. Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia presided at the Mass, which preceded the official opening. After a prayer, the Archbishop then affirmed his oath with his hand on the bible. Following this, members of the Tribunal, Notaries and the Historic Commission, each affirmed his oath in like manner. In addition to his Augustinian Family, members of Father Bill’s family – brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews – were in attendance. There were friends and former students – many who were caregivers to Father Bill, during his years on the faculty of Monsignor Bonner High School, where Father Bill was assigned for nearly 30 years. It was an historic ceremony, fittingly held on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Augustine for this Augustinian Friar.
To view a video of the Eucharistic Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Chaput, click the link below:
To view a video of the Solemn Opening of the cause, click the link below:
Solemn Opening of Father Bill Atkinson’s Cause
To read an article online at CatholicPhilly.com, click on the link below:
To view a news clip, please click on the link below:
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/04/25/father-bill-atkinson-sainthood/
