By Amanda Zurface, JCL
It has been ninety-nine years since the death of Sister Annella Zervas, OSB. In that time, her life which was lived totally for God has not been forgotten. From the earliest days, her parents Hubert and Emma, siblings, and others familiar with her story, bore witness to the grace of her life and her courageous embrace of suffering. Over the decades, people carried forward this devotion—Fr. Joseph Kreuter, O.S.B, James Kritzek, Brendan King, Patrick and Sandy Norton with their family and friends, and countless faithful who have gathered in prayer at Saint Benedict’s cemetery—longing for the Church to open her cause for canonization.
Today, that prayer is being answered.
Related: How Patrick Norton Resparked Devotion to Sister Annella Zervas
Under the Leadership of Bishop Cozzens
The Most Reverend Andrew Cozzens, Bishop of the Diocese of Crookston, has announced that the cause for the canonization of Sister Annella Zervas, OSB, will officially open this fall.
The Opening Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston, Minnesota. At this liturgy, the Church will formally begin its careful process of investigating Sister Annella’s life, virtues, and reputation of holiness.
This is a historic and grace-filled moment not only for the Diocese of Crookston, but for the dioceses of Minnesota, the region, and the universal Church.
Related: Watch Bishop Cozzens’ Consultation at the USCCB Assembly
Who Was Sister Annella?
Born in Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1900, Annella entered the Benedictine community at Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. She lived her vocation with joy, even as she endured great physical suffering. She died at the age of twenty-six, yet her short life radiated a deep love for Christ and a complete surrender to His will.
Those who knew her spoke of the severe pain she endured, yet she always offered it back to God. She received her suffering willingly and with peace, thinking more of others than of herself.
Nearly a century later, her witness continues to inspire the faithful to surrender everything to God, saying yes to His unique and personal invitations, doing what they can to please Him, trust in His providence, and unite their sufferings with Christ. Now, the Church will carefully examine her life and the many testimonies that surround it, discerning her sanctity.
Related: Is Moorhead, My Hometown, the Birthplace of Minnesota’s First Saint?
How You Can Join Us
On October 9, we invite you to be part of a historic moment in the life of the Church and the Cause of Sister Annella Zervas. The afternoon will begin at 4:00 PM with the opening of an exhibit highlighting Sister Annella’s life. At 5:00 PM, Patrick Norton will share his personal story. An organ recital will follow at 6:00 PM, offered in tribute to Sister Annella, who herself was an organist. The day will culminate at 6:30 PM with the Opening Mass, celebrated by Bishop Andrew Cozzens at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. At the conclusion of Mass, the Opening Session of the canonical investigation will take place.
We invite you to help spread the word by sharing this invitation with your parish, school, or ministry. Promotional resources are available to download. For those unable to attend in person, the Opening Mass will be livestreamed at sisterannella.org/livestream.
Beyond this day, you are invited to become a member of the Sister Annella Guild. By joining the Guild, you help sustain the work of promoting Sister Annella’s story and supporting the cause for her canonization. Membership allows you to walk closely with us in prayer and support of this mission. Learn more and join at sisterannella.org/membership.
Looking Ahead
As we step into this moment together, we recognize it as the fruit of nearly a century of prayer and perseverance. Sister Annella’s surrender in suffering and her trust in God continue to speak powerfully to the Church today.
Our prayer is that, through this cause, more hearts will come to know her story and be strengthened by her example. May this next phase bring grace not only to Crookston, but to the whole Church.
Stay connected at sisterannella.org for updates, reflections, and opportunities to take part in this journey of faith.
About the Author:
Amanda Zurface, JCL, is the Diocesan Postulator for the Cause of Sister Annella Zervas. Holding degrees in canon law and theology, she was introduced to Patrick Norton in 2020 and moved to assist in advancing the cause. She considers it a grace to share Sister Annella’s story, which shows us how to entrust our pain to God and live in deep friendship with Christ, our truest friend.
