Norbert became the novice teacher and taught, according to witnesses, as much by his life and by his words. On July 3, 1959, after a few days of illness, Brother Norbert passed away. The Bishop of Gulu blessed the body and planned the mass. As a sign of the esteem for Brother Norbert, the brothers sat in the chancel of the Church while the attending priests sat in the body of the Church, so revered was Brother Norbert. Cause for Sainthood  From the time of his passing, the brothers, students and local people acclaimed Brother Norbert's life and ministry as holy and exemplary. They sustained their devotion to his memory within the Gulu diocese and beyond. The Ugandan bishops had invoked his name as an intercessors for all Ugandans. As a result, between June 16 – July 13, 1994, the diocesan investigation reviewed his life and met with the witnesses to that life of faith. On June 9, 1995, the Holy See affirmed the outcome of the diocesan investigation, according Brother Norbert the title, Servant of God. The detailed examination of his life, of witnesses, of the history of the period and of the writings of the person was undertaken. The result, known as the positio, was then examined by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. On June 23, 2015 the initial review affirmed the experience of the many witnesses. On May 8, 2018, the consultors of the Congregation affirmed that Brother Norbert McAuliffe had exhibited the theological and cardinal virtues to an heroic degree. Finally, Pope Francis affirmed that result on May 19, 2018, declaring the heroicity of the virtues of Nobert McAuliffe and thus bestowing upon him the title of Venerable in the Church.