APOSTOLIC LETTER
ISSUED MOTU PROPRIO
BY THE SUPREME PONTIFF
FRANCIS
MAIOREM HAC DILECTIONEM
ON THE OFFER OF LIFE
11 July 2017
Art. 1
The offer of life is a new cause for the beatification and canonization procedure,
distinct from the causes based on martyrdom and on the heroism of virtues.
Art. 2
The offer of life, in order that it be valid and effective for the beatification of a
Servant of God, must respond to the following criteria:
a) a free and voluntary offer of life and heroic acceptance propter caritatem
(meaning: because of charity or through love) of a certain and untimely death;
b) a nexus between the offer of life and premature death;
c) the exercise, at least as ordinarily possible, of Christian virtues before the
offer of life and, then, unto death;
d) the existence of a reputation of holiness and of signs, at least after death;
e) the necessity of a miracle for beatification, occurring after the death of the
Servant of God and through his or her intercession.