Cari Favole
The Servant of God Project
With deep reverence and hope, I share my intention to one day petition for the opening of a Cause for Canonization for my mother, Carolyn Marie Clare Ellinger Favole, who passed away at the May Clinic in Jacksonville, FL on Friday, May 23, 2025.
At this time, this is not yet a formal request to the Church, but rather the beginning of a prayerful and careful process of discernment.
A Future Cause for Canonization
Understanding the Process
In the Catholic Church, before a Cause for Canonization can officially begin, at least five years must pass after a person’s death. This period allows space for reflection, ensuring that any reputation for holiness is enduring and not based solely on immediate grief or emotion.
When that time has passed, a formal request may be submitted to the local bishop—in this case, the Archbishop of Savannah—to open an investigation into the person’s life.
If accepted, the individual may be given the title Servant of God, marking the first step on the path toward sainthood.
How You Can Help
As part of this early stage, I am prayerfully gathering:
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Personal testimonies and memories
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Stories of how her life impacted others
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Written materials, letters, or records
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Any experiences of spiritual encouragement or intercession connected to her
If you knew Carolyn, or if her life has touched yours in any way, I would be deeply grateful if you would consider sharing your experience.
Your voice may become part of the foundation that helps the Church discern this path.
This process is approached with humility and trust in the Church. Nothing is assumed, and everything is placed in God’s hands. The hope is simple: That if it is God’s will, my mother’s life may one day serve as a light for others, pointing always back to Him.
Thank you for your prayers, your support, and your willingness to be part of this journey.
Biographical Overview
Carolyn was born on April 19, 1950, in Brooklynn, New York, to Charles and Edna Ellinger, the second of their six children. Early in Carolyn's childhood the Ellingers moved to Bayshore, Long Isalnd, NY. in 1968, she graduated from St. Joseph Academy and studied art at the local college for a year. Carolyn met Fred Favole in the summer of 1969 and they wed on September 6, 1970. They spent the next two decades living in various cities and finally moved to St. Simons Island with their three daughters in 1994. On the island, Carolyn attended St. William Catholic Church, where she was instrumental in starting the local fraternity of Secular Franciscans. She was also active with Right to Life and volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Society for many years. Carolyn retained her love of art through the years as well, painting at home and taking classes at GVA. Most important to Carolyn was her faith in Jesus Christ and her love for her family. She was a devoted wife to Fred for nearly 55 years, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Key examples of heroic virtue
Sacrament of Baptism
Carolyn lived her baptismal call with authenticity, consistently reflecting Christ through her humility, compassion, and daily actions.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Through humility and a spirit of mercy, Carolyn consistently sought forgiveness and extended it to others.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Guided by the Holy Spirit, Carolyn showed steadfast faith, quiet courage, and a deep commitment to living her beliefs, even in the face of hardship.
Sacrament of Communion
Carolyn’s devotion to the Eucharist was a steady and grounding presence in her life. She approached it with reverence and sincerity, allowing it to shape how she loved, forgave, and gave of herself to others. Her participation was not routine, but a reflection of a deep desire to remain close to Christ, drawing strength and peace that carried into her daily life.
Sacrament of Matrimony
In her vocation to marriage, Carolyn lived out a faithful and self-giving love. She approached her role with commitment, sacrifice, and care, striving to create a home rooted in love, support, and faith. Her witness in marriage reflected perseverance, generosity, and a deep dedication to the well-being of her family, even in the face of life’s challenges.
Eucharistic Devotion & Fidelity
Carolyn served faithfully as a guardian at perpetual adoration, demonstrating a deep and abiding reverence for the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. She honored this commitment with consistency and devotion, even when it required personal sacrifice or inconvenience. Her willingness to keep vigil reflected not only discipline, but a profound love for Christ, expressed through quiet presence, prayer, and steadfast fidelity.
Charity & Service:
Eucharistic Minister
As a Eucharistic Minister at St. William Catholic Church, Carolyn approached her role with reverence, humility, and a sincere desire to serve others. She treated this responsibility with great care, recognizing both the sacredness of the Eucharist and the dignity of each person receiving it. In addition to serving during Mass, she faithfully brought the Eucharist to those who were unable to attend—extending Christ’s presence to the sick, homebound, and those in need of spiritual comfort. Her service reflected a quiet but profound charity, offered consistently and with deep compassion for her parish community.
Leadership & Apostolic Initiative
Carolyn demonstrated remarkable initiative and dedication in establishing a chapter of the Secular Franciscans at St. William Catholic Church. Inspired by a desire to live the Gospel more fully in the spirit of St. Francis, she worked to create a community rooted in prayer, humility, and service. Through her leadership, she fostered a space where others could grow in faith and embrace a life of simplicity and charity. Her efforts reflected not only organizational commitment, but a genuine calling to guide and encourage others in their spiritual journey, leaving a lasting impact on her parish community.
Faith & Spiritual Discipline
Carolyn maintained a daily rhythm of prayer that was both intentional and enduring. Through regular reading of Scripture, engagement with spiritual writings, and devotion to the Rosary, she continually sought to deepen her relationship with God. This practice was not occasional, but a defining part of her life—shaping her thoughts, guiding her actions, and sustaining her through both ordinary days and times of trial.
Evidence of reputation for holiness
Testimonials from those who knew Carolyn personally, or who were moved by her life of faith.
Please submit your memory to be added here.
Humility, Fortitude, & Mercy
Carolyn demonstrated a consistent willingness to examine her life, seek forgiveness, and be transformed by God’s mercy. This openness to grace was not momentary, but enduring, shaping how she lived and how she treated others. She extended the same compassion and forgiveness she sought, reflecting patience, understanding, and a genuine desire to remain in right relationship with God and those around her. Her life bore witness to a heart continually formed and renewed by grace.
Resilience, Charity, & Self-Gift
Carolyn’s response to serious and prolonged illness became a defining expression of her faith and contributed significantly to her reputation for holiness among those who knew her. After being diagnosed with advanced heart failure, she underwent the implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), a decision she did not make for herself alone, but out of love for her family. Though she expressed a readiness to meet the Lord, she chose to continue her earthly life at their request, embracing additional years of suffering as an act of self-giving love.
In the six years that followed, Carolyn bore her condition with patience, dignity, and quiet strength. Those closest to her witnessed not despair, but a deepened faith and a steady trust in God. She offered her suffering intentionally, praying daily for the spiritual well-being and salvation of her family. Her life during this time reflected not only endurance, but a profound charity—placing the needs of others before her own comfort, and transforming her illness into a source of grace for those around her.
This witness left a lasting impression on family, friends, and members of her faith community, many of whom have spoken of her peace, resilience, and unwavering devotion. Her willingness to accept suffering for the sake of others, united with a constant spirit of prayer, has contributed to a growing recognition of her life as one marked by holiness and self-sacrificial love.
What Makes a Meaningful Testimony
A helpful testimony is personal, specific, and sincere. Rather than general statements, please share real moments, experiences, or stories that reflect Carolyn’s character, faith, and impact on your life or the lives of others. If possible, include details, such as what you witnessed, how it affected you, and why it has stayed with you. Your honest words, no matter how simple, are deeply valuable.
List of Witnesses
A list of those who have expressed willingness to serve as witnesses, offering their contact information to support this process if needed.
Fred M. Favole
Catherine M. Gruber
Christine M. Favole
Caroline M. Favole
Andre L. Dennis
(To Family: Please don't be offended that I did not automatically list you; I don't want to make any presumptions)