In 1884, the Archbishop of San Francisco, Joseph Alemany, initiated a formal investigation on the Cause for Sainthood for Friar Magin Catalá, O.F.M., using the inquisitorial process specified by canon law procedure. In response to a request from Rome for more information the next archbishop conducted additional inquiries in 1908-1909. The records from both procedures including the testimony of the witnesses comprise this body of records.

Magin Catalá y Guash (1761-1830), a native of Catalonia, came to California in 1793 as a Franciscan missionary. He served the bulk of his ministry at Mission Santa Clara from 1794 to 1830, where he died with a reputation for holiness and miracles among the Indians and Spanish-speaking inhabitants. Thirty years after his death, this reputation came to the attention of Catholic Church authorities.

1.5 linear feet

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Archivist at the Archives of the Archdiocese of San Francisco (AASF), 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Consent is given on behalf of the Archives of the Archdiocese of San Francisco as the owner of the physical items and its copyright holder.

Collection open for research