Nun credited with curing boy from eye disease up for beatification; move toward sainthood

In this undated college photo provided by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich is shown. More than 80 years after her death, the New Jersey nun credited with curing a boy's eye disease in the 1960s is set to be beatified on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. The ceremony led by Cardinal Angelo Amato at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth) (The Associated Press)

In this undated official photo provided by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich is shown. On Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, the New Jersey nun is scheduled to be beatified in a ceremony led by Cardinal Angelo Amato at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J. According to the Archdiocese of Newark, Demjanovich, who died in 1927 at age 26, is credited with curing a boy's macular degeneration in the 1960s. Within six weeks of him praying to her, the effects of the disease were totally reversed, according to Sister Mary Canavan, vice postulator for the Sister Miriam Teresa League of Prayer in Convent Station. (AP Photo/Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth) (The Associated Press)

A New Jersey nun who died more than 80 years ago moves closer to sainthood this weekend.

Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich (dem-JAN'-oh-vich) will be beatified in a ceremony Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

The Archdiocese of Newark says a young boy's macular degeneration was cured after he was given a relic of Sister Miriam Teresa and prayed to her. They say Michael Mencer's ailment was "totally reversed" within six weeks. That episode has been certified as a miracle by Pope Francis.

The Archdiocese expects more than 1,500 people to be on hand for the beatification Mass, including members of the sister's family and Mencer.

Saturday's ceremony is the third step in the canonization process.