Pushing for Sainthood as the Patron Saint of Immigrant Children

An Italian-born nun who once confronted Billy the Kid, calmed mob violence, opened hospitals across New Mexico, and provided refuge to immigrant children is advancing toward sainthood within the Roman Catholic Church.

The Big Picture: Sister Blandina Segale’s journey toward sainthood is gaining momentum amid the political landscape of mass deportation led by President-elect Trump, with Catholic groups poised to help immigrants seeking refuge. Should she be canonized, Segale would be recognized as the Patron Saint of Immigrant Children.

State of Play: Some Catholics believe Segale has performed miracles for immigrant children detained at the U.S.-Mexico border. Last week, New Mexico Catholic officials traveled to the Vatican to present their case for her sainthood, a process that could take decades.

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Catch Up Quick: In 2015, supporters of Segale submitted her case to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe for a ceremonial “first inquiry.” This inquiry affirmed that there was enough evidence to advance her cause through the secretive process at the Vatican. Testimonies highlighted Segale’s work to end the mistreatment of Native Americans and halt the trafficking of women as sex slaves. Others recounted miracles attributed to her after her death, where cancer patients and poor immigrants reported receiving her divine help.

Zoom In: A group of Vatican historians recently voted to approve Segale’s case, marking a significant milestone. Allen Sánchez, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, described this as a vital step in light of current immigration challenges in the U.S. “Her work in health care, which now includes CommonSpirit Health—one of the largest nonprofit health organizations in the country with 145 hospitals across 24 states—is a testament to her lasting impact,” Sánchez said.

Flashback: Segale, a member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, arrived in Trinidad, Colorado, in 1877 to teach poor children. Later, she moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she co-founded schools and worked with the poor, sick, and immigrant populations. Segale fought against injustice, advocating for Hispanics and Native Americans whose land was being stolen by swindlers.

Documents show that Segale took extra measures to protect Italian-American immigrants and Mexican Americans facing violence. Sister Victoria Marie Forde of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati noted that Segale’s efforts to assist marginalized groups made a significant difference in her time.

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The Intrigue: Segale’s encounters with Billy the Kid are among her most legendary frontier tales. According to one story, Segale received a tip that Billy the Kid was planning to scalp four doctors who had refused to treat his friend. Segale nursed the injured man back to health, and when Billy came to thank her, she convinced him to abandon his violent plan.

Her interactions with Old West outlaws, including this encounter with Billy the Kid, have become part of New Mexico folklore and were featured in an episode of CBS’s Death Valley Days, titled “The Fastest Nun in the West.”

Sister Blandina Segale’s path to sainthood is not just a reflection of her heroic actions but also a reminder of the impact one individual can have on countless lives, past and present.

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