One of the final local steps for Charlene Richard to be canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church takes place Jan. 13 when Bishop Douglas Deshotel will lead a ceremony to close the diocese phase of the project.

The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at St. Edward Church in Richard on what would have been the 77th birthday of Charlene Richard, who has been dubbed “The Cajun Saint” by many Catholics in south Louisiana.

Charlene was born on Jan. 13, 1947 and died at the age of 12 after being diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia. According to the diocese, her last days on earth included offering her prayers and suffering to God each day for different people with miraculous results. Richard’s grave has become a pilgrimage site for the faithful all over the world in the decades since, and many have testified to her intercession.

At the ceremony, the prayers of those attending will accompany the bishop as he closes and blesses the work here in Acadiana in order for her case to be sent to the Vatican. Officials will state under oath that they have honestly and diligently completed their investigation and are now ready for the next state of investigation to occur at the Vatican level.

“Your presence at this ceremony demonstrates to Pope Francis your belief that Charlene’s prayers are powerful to so many people in need of help,” according to a prepared statement.

More than 1,000 pages of documents have been prepared by expert volunteers that argue why Charlene lived a heroic live of faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude.

The pages will be entrusted to Official Currier, the Rev. Korey Lavergne, who is the pastor of Charlene’s home parish of St. Edward in Richard and begins the long journey to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints directly across from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

During the event, shuttles will be available to transport those attending to the stage area by Charlene’s tomb, and the event will take place at 1463 Charlene Highway in Church Point.

The ceremony is expected to be short, but folding chairs should be brought if needed. Souvenir prayer cards will be available, and umbrellas are recommended.