Episode 374: She Went to Harvard an Atheist. Now She Could Be a Catholic Saint. Meet Ruth Pakaluk

May 29th, 2026

34 mins 10 secs

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About this Episode

Who was Ruth Pakaluk?

A wife, mother, Harvard graduate, pro-life leader, and faithful Catholic whose inspiring life is now being examined by the Church as a possible future saint.

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Meghan Tallarita, Vice Postulator for the Cause of Ruth Pakaluk, about the remarkable life and legacy of this extraordinary woman. Meghan shares how she became involved with the cause and how learning about Ruth has deeply influenced her own life as a wife and mother.

The conversation explores Ruth's conversion to Catholicism while at Harvard, her leadership in the pro-life movement as president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, her devotion to her family, and the faith that sustained her through a battle with breast cancer.

They also discuss:
• What Ruth's family thinks about her sainthood cause
• The mission of the Ruth Pakaluk Foundation
• Visitation House and its outreach to women facing crisis pregnancies
• Reports of favors received through Ruth's intercession
• Why so many people feel connected to Ruth despite never having met her
• The current status of her cause for canonization
• What readers discover in Ruth's personal writings and correspondence
• Whether Opus Dei supports the cause
• Where Ruth is buried and why pilgrims visit her grave
• What patronage she might one day be known for

Discover why an increasing number of people believe the witness of Ruth Pakaluk is exactly what the Church and the world need today.
For more information about Ruth Pakaluk and her cause for canonization, visit the Ruth Pakaluk Foundation.

https://ruthpakaluk.com
The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God: