Brazil - Process of Beatification of Fr Cícero Romão Batista opens

24 August 2022

(ANS - Juazeiro do Norte) - "It is with great joy that I inform you, on this historic day, that we have officially received from the Holy See, by determination of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, a letter from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, dated June 24, 2022. We have received authorization for the opening of the Process of Beatification of Father Cícero Romão Batista." Thus, Msgr. Magnus Henrique Lopes, Bishop of the Diocese of Crato, announced on the morning of Saturday, August 20, the news of the opening of the Beatification Process of the "Patriarch of the Northeast," awaited over 80 years.

In a subsequent conference, clarifications were made about the Beatification Process. Fr. Wesley Barros opened this moment. "The diocese formed, in 2001, a commission to prepare a historical review," he explained. "After five years of work, it was delivered, on May 30, 2006, to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, along with a petition from some 254 Brazilian bishops, who were asking the Holy See for a concrete gesture of recognition of the important role that Father Cícero has played and continues to play in the spirituality, life, and development of this entire region," Fr. Wesley said.

Also during the press conference, Msgr. Magnus Henrique, remembered Sister Annette Dumoulin, thanking all those who worked for Father Cícero's Beatification Process. "This response is the wish of millions of devotees of Father Cícero. It is with a feeling of gratitude, joy, jubilation and hope that I thank the tireless work of the pilgrims, who were truly persevering, men and women of faith, who always believed that God would not abandon us," said Msgr. Magnus.

The Rector of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Our Lady of Sorrows, Fr. Cícero José, spoke of gratitude and discernment in prayer, recalling Msgr. Murilo de Sá Barreto, who was in charge of the House of Our Lady of Sorrows for more than 40 years and who fought to make this Beatification possible.

The intervention of Fr. Inácio Vieira, Provincial of Brazil-Recife (BRE), who recalled "Father Cícero's pastoral zeal and educational care," was significant. These two elements, he continued, "brought us to Juazeiro. We are here for the education of the new generations and to welcome God's holy people." Fr. Vieira then reflected on Father Cícero's legacy of holiness, emphasizing how he still represents a lesson in life for all those who carry on the Salesian mission in Juazeiro do Norte.

Source: salesianos.org.br 

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