Photo Courtesy of the Philippine Jesuits

Xavier Ateneo’s History and International Studies Department is honored to announce that Fr Amado T Tumbali Jr, SJ has been appointed on 21 August 2024 as President of the Historical Commission for the Beatification and Canonization Cause for Sister Laureana “Ka Luring” Franco. The official appointment took place at the Minor Basilica of St Anne in the Diocese of Pasig.

As President of the Historical Commission, Fr Amado will lead the gathering of evidence attesting Ka Luring's sanctity and heroic virtues. His appointment marks the formal launching of Ka Luring‘s Beatification and Canonization Cause. As a Servant of God, Sister Laureana Franco or “Ka Luring” as famously known to those who remember her, was a lay catechist who left everything she had in exchange for her service to the poor and the faith.

Ka Luring, born on 4 July 1936 in Taguig City, came from a modest family and was known to have lived a simplistic life devoted to catechism.

St Lorenzo Ruiz and St Pedro Calungsod are, so far, the only Filipinos canonized as Saints. With the appointment of Fr Amado, the Catholic Church sets the groundwork for Ka Luring’s path to Sainthood.

Fr Amado is currently the Chairperson of Xavier Ateneo’s History and International Studies Department and, concurrently, the University Chaplain. He handles Undergraduate and Graduate History Courses in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Congratulations to Fr Amado on his appointment!