The appointed archdiocesan Historical Commission compiled a 700-page document on all aspects of Father McGivney’s life and times, and a Tribunal was convened in Hartford to take testimony and assess the evidence related to the cause. Father O’Donnell then set out to write the positio – an authoritative biography of Father McGivney and an exposition on his virtues of faith, hope and charity, with emphasis on his spiritual character and holiness of life. Running more than 1,000 pages, the document was delivered to the Vatican in the summer of 2000 and the cause officially began its Rome phase at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
A new postulator based in Rome, Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, was appointed. Father O’Donnell currently serves as Vice-Postulator of the cause and Director of the Father McGivney Guild.