Pope Leo XIV has approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Enrique Shaw, advancing the Argentine layman on the path toward canonization. The decree was promulgated on December 18, 2025, through the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, following a thorough investigation and favorable recommendations from medical and theological experts. This recognition confirms that the healing in question cannot be explained by science and is attributed to Shaw’s intercession.
For Catholic professionals, this moment highlights the Church’s clear affirmation that holiness is not reserved to clergy or religious life, but is fully attainable in marriage, family life, and professional leadership.
Who Was Enrique Shaw
Enrique Shaw was born in 1921 in Argentina and lived a life marked by deep faith and professional responsibility. He married Cecilia Bunge, and together they raised nine children. After completing his education, Shaw served in the Argentine Navy before discerning a call to business leadership. He eventually became managing director of a glass manufacturing company, where he sought to live the Gospel through ethical decision making and genuine concern for workers.
Shaw co founded the Christian Association of Business Leaders, an organization dedicated to promoting Catholic social teaching in the world of business. He believed that work and enterprise should always respect human dignity and serve the common good. His life demonstrated that professional excellence and Christian virtue are not in conflict, but can mutually strengthen one another.
The Miracle Recognized by the Church
The miracle approved by Pope Leo took place in June 2015 and involved a five year old boy who suffered a severe head injury after being kicked by a horse. The child underwent five surgeries and spent an extended period in critical care. Doctors determined that he would require the implantation of a permanent drainage valve to relieve dangerous pressure in his brain.
Before the procedure could take place, doctors discovered that the excess fluid had begun to drain on its own and that the intracranial pressure had returned to normal. This unexpected development eliminated the need for surgery and marked the beginning of a rapid recovery.
A Complete and Lasting Healing
The child’s recovery progressed quickly and fully. He was removed from life support within days and soon began rehabilitation. Fifteen days later, he continued to show steady improvement. Today, as a teenager, he lives a normal life without neurological damage, cognitive limitations, or physical deformities.
Medical professionals involved in the case were unable to explain the healing. Those promoting Shaw’s cause testified that thousands of people around the world prayed specifically for Enrique Shaw’s intercession during the child’s illness.
The Church’s Careful Discernment
The healing underwent extensive examination by the Church. In January 2025, the medical board of the Dicastery confirmed that the recovery was scientifically inexplicable. On June 17, 2025, the theological commission unanimously affirmed that the healing occurred through Shaw’s intercession. Pope Leo’s approval of the miracle represents a decisive step toward Shaw’s beatification, though a date has not yet been announced.
Bishop Santiago Olivera, vice postulator of the cause, expressed gratitude to God and to all who labored faithfully on Shaw’s behalf, including the first postulator, Cardinal Jorge María Mejía. He emphasized the importance of prayer, perseverance, and collaboration throughout the process.
A Model for Catholic Professionals
The recognition of this miracle places Blessed Enrique Shaw before the Church as a compelling witness for professionals in every field. He shows that business leadership can be a true vocation and a path to holiness when lived with integrity, charity, and a commitment to justice.
The Christian Association of Business Leaders and Catholic Action of Argentina expressed profound joy at this step, noting that Shaw would be the first businessman formally recognized by the Church as a model of sanctity. His life affirms that professional environments are not obstacles to grace, but places where faith can be lived concretely for the glory of God and the service of others.
As the Church moves closer to celebrating his beatification, Enrique Shaw stands as a powerful reminder that the call to holiness reaches every office, factory, and boardroom where faithful Catholics seek to serve Christ through their work.
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