~ News 2012 ~

TWENTY-FOUR decrees PROMULGATED

VATICAN CITY - Today, 20 December 2012, Pope Benedict XVI received in a private audience Angelo Cardinal Amato, sdb, prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints. During the audience, the Holy Father authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the following twenty-four decrees regarding:

A. Primaldo & Cps.	L. Montoya Upegui	G. García Zavala	A. Franco	J.G. Brochero	C. Lpz. Valladolid	C. Czeska-Mac.

L. Szewczyk	M. Bulešić	J.X. Gorosterratzu	R. Gil Barcelón	M. Sanz Domínguez	M. García Solanas	M.A. Cortés Bueno

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of Blesseds Antonio Primaldo and Companions, laypersons of the diocese of Otranto, killed in odium fidei on 13 August 1480 in Otranto (Italy); cult confirmed on 14 December 1771; martyrdom recognized on 06 July 2007;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Blessed MarÍa Laura DE JESÚS Montoya Upegui (in religion, Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena), founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and Saint Catherine of Siena; born on 26 May 1874 in Jericó, Antioquía (Colombia) and died on 21 October 1949 in Belencito, Medellín, Antioquía (Colombia); beatified on 25 April 2004;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Anastasia Guadalupe García Zavala (in religion,  María Guadalupe), cofounder of the Handmaids of Saint Margaret Mary and of the Poor; born on 27 April 1878 in Zapopan, Jalisco (Mexico) and died on 24 June 1963 in Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico);  beatified on 25 April 2004;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God ANTONIO FRANCO, ordinary of the territorial prelature of Santa Lucia del Mela; born on 26 September 1585 in Naples (Italy) and died on 02 September 1626 in Santa Lucia del Mela, Messina (Italy); declared venerable on 14 January 2011;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, priest of the diocese of Córdoba; born on 16 March 1840 in Santa Rosa de Río Primero, Córdoba (Argentina) and died on 26 January 1914 in Villa del Tránsito, Córdoba (Argentina);  declared venerable on 19 April 2004;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God CRISTÓBAL Fernández Valladolid (in religion: CRISTÓBAL OF SAINT CATHERINE), professed priest, Third Order Regular of Saint Francis and founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitallers of Jesus the Nazarene; born on 25 July 1638 in Mérida, Badajoz (Spain) and 24 July 1690 in Córdoba (Spain); declared venerable on 28 June 2012;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God ZOFIA CZESKA-MACIEJOWSKA, founder the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; born in 1584 in Budziszowice, Kazimierski (Poland)  and died in Kraków (Poland) on 01 April 1650; declared venerable on 27 June 2011;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God MAŁGORZATA SZEWCZYK (in religion: ŁUCJA), founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sorrowful Mother of God ‒ Seraphic Sisters; born ca. 1828 in Shepetivka (a.k.a. Szepetówka), Khmelnytskyi (Ukraine) and died on 05 June 1905 in Nieszawa, Aleksandrów (Poland); declared venerable on 19 December 2011;

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God Miroslav Bulešić, priest of the diocese of Poreč i Pula; born on 13 May 1920 in Čabrunići, Svetvinčenat, Istarska (Croatia) and killed in odium fidei on 24 August 1947 in Lanišće, Istarska (Croatia);

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God JOSÉ XAVIER GOROSTERRATZU JAUNARENA and 5 COMPANIONS, professed priests and religious of the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists); killed in odium fidei between 1936 and 1938 in  the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War;

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God Ricardo Gil Barcelón, professed priest of the Congregation of the Sons of Divine Providence, born on 27 October 1873 in Manzanera, Teruel (Spain), and Antonio Arrué Peiró, layperson of the archdiocese of Valencia and postulant of the Congregation of the Sons of Divine Providence, born on 04 April 1908 in Calatayud, Zaragoza (Spain), both killed in odium fidei on 03 August 1936 in El Saler, Valencia (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God MANUEL Sanz Domínguez (in religion,  Manuel of the Holy Family), professed priest of the Order of Saint Jerome, restorer; born on 31 December 1887 in Sotodosos, Guadalajara (Spain) and killed in odium fidei between 06 and 08 November 1936 in Paracuellos de Jarama, Madrid (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God Josefa Pilar García Solanas (in religion,  María  Montserrat) and 8 COMPANIONS, professed religious of the Order of Minim Nuns, along with LUCRECIA GARCÍA SOLANAS, layperson of the archdiocese of Barcelona, killed in odium fidei  on 23 July 1936 at the Sant Genís dels Agudells highway, Horta, Barcelona (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God MELCHORA ADORACIÓN CORTÉS BUENO and 14 COMPANIONS , from the Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul; killed in odium fidei between 1936 and 1937 in  the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War;

Paul VI	F.S. Petagna	J. Bonal Cortada	L.M. Baudouin	G. Franchi

M. Aveledo	C. Russo	F. Cornejo Pazmiño	L. Szczęsna	C. Barceló

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God PaUL VI (Giovanni Battista Montini), supreme pontiff; born on 26 September 1897 in Concesio, Brescia (Italy) and died on 06 August 1978 in Castelgandolfo, Rome (Italy);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Francesco Saverio Petagna, bishop of Castellamare di Stabia, founder of the Congregation of the Religious Sisters of the Sacred Hearts; born on 13 December 1812 in Naples (Italy) and died on 18 December 1878 in Castellamare di Stabia, Naples (Italy);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God JUAN JOSÉ JAIME Bonal Cortada, priest of the archdiocese of Zaragoza, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Anne; born on 24 August 1769 in Terrades, Girona (Spain) and died on 19 August 1829 in Zaragoza (Spain);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God LOUIS-MARIE BAUDOUIN, priest and founder of the Congregation of the Sons of Mary Immaculate and of the Congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of Jesus of Chavagnes; born on 02 August 1765 in Montaigu, Vendée (France) and died on 12 February 1835 in Chavagnes, Vendée (France);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Giovannina Franchi, founder of the Nursing Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows; born on 24 June 1807 in Como (Italy) and died there on 23 February 1872;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Luisa Aveledo y AVELEDO (in religion, Marcelina of Saint Joseph), founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Peter Claver; born on 18 June 1874 in Caracas (Venezuela) and died on 16 November 1959 in Barranquilla, Atlantico (Colombia);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Claudia Russo, founder of the Congregation of the Poor Daughters of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; born on 18 November 1889 in Naples (Italy), and died there on 11 March 1964;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Rosa Elena Cornejo PAZMIÑO (in religion, MarÍa Francisca of the WounDs), founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculata; born on 11 December 1874 in Quito (Ecuador) and died there on 24 October 1964;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God KLARA SZCZĘSNA (in religion LUDWIKA), cofounder of the Congregation of the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; born on 18 July 1863 in Cieszki, Lubowidz, Żuromin (Poland) and died on 07 February 1916 in Kraków (Poland); and,

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Joaquina María Mercedes Barceló Pagés (in religion, Consuelo), cofounder of the Congregation of the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation; born on 24 July 1857 in Sarrià, Barcelona (Spain) and died on 04 August 1940 in Manila (Philippines).

Posted by:

Charles G. Braganza 

Date:

20/12/2012

SIXTEEN decrees PROMULGATED

VATICAN CITY - Today, 28 June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI received in a private audience Angelo Cardinal Amato, sdb, prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints. During the audience, the Holy Father authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the following sixteen decrees regarding:

L. Passi	F.P. de Jesus	M. Borràs	G. Puglisi	H. Iza	V. Valverde	D. Pillai

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Luca Passi, priest of the archdiocese of Venice and founder of the Institute  of the Teaching Sisters of Saint Dorothy; born on 22 January 1789 in Bergamo (Italy) and died on 18 April 1866 in Venice (Italy);  declared venerable on 06 July 2007;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God FRANCISCA DE PAULA DE JESUS (NHÁ CHICA), layperson of the diocese of Campanha; born in 1810 in São João del Rei, Minas Gerais (Brazil) and died on 14 June 1895 in Baependi, Minas Gerais (Brazil); declared venerable on 14 January 2011;

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God MANUEL BORRÀS FERRÉ, auxiliary bishop of Tarragona, along with MODEST PAMPLONA FALGUERA (in religion: AGAPIT MODEST), professed religious of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and 145 COMPANIONS,  from the clergy and religious of the archdiocese of Tarragona, who were killed in odium fidei between 1936 and 1939 in the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War;

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God GIUSEPPE [PINO] PUGLISI, priest of the archdiocese of Palermo, born on 15 September 1937 in Palermo (Italy) and killed in odium fidei on 15 September 1993 in Palermo (Italy);

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God HERMENEGILDO IZA AREGITA (in religion: HERMENEGILDO OF THE ASSUMPTION), professed priest of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity (Trinitarians), and 5 COMPANIONS, professed priests and religious of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, who were killed in odium fidei on 27 August 1936 in Alcázar de San Juan, Ciudad Real (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God FRANCISCA INÉS VALVERDE GONZÁLEZ (in religion: VICTORIA), professed religious of the Calasanzian Institute of the Daughters of the Divine Shepherdess; born on 20 April 1888 in Vicálvaro, Madrid (Spain) and killed in odium fidei on 13 January 1937 in Casillas de Martos, Jaén (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God DEVASAHAYAM [NILAKANDAN] PILLAI , married layperson of the diocese of Kottar; born on 23 April 1712 in Nattalam, Tamil Nādu (India) and killed in odium fidei on 14 January 1752 in Aralvaimozhi, Tamil Nādu, (India);

S. Riario Sforza	F. Sheen	A. del Portillo	L. Tijssen	C. Lpz. Valladolid

M.J. Fitzbach	M.A. McCrory	M.M. Bogner	F. Riva

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God SISTO RIARIO SFORZA, archbishop of Naples and cardinal of the Holy Roman Church; born on 05 December 1810 in Naples (Italy) and died there on 29 September 1877;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God FULTON JOHN SHEEN, titular archbishop of Newport and former bishop of Rochester; born on 08 May 1895 in El Paso, Illinois (United States of America) and died on 09 December 1979 in New York City, New York  (United States of America);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God ÁLVARO DEL PORTILLO DÍEZ DE SOLLANO, bishop of the personal prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei; born on 11 March 1914 in Madrid (Spain) and died on 23 March 1994 in Rome (Italy);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God LUDOVICUS TIJSSEN, priest of the diocese of Roermond; born on 02 November 1865 in Wessem, Limburg (Netherlands) and died on 20 February 1929 in Sittard, Limburg (Netherlands);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God CRISTÓBAL Fernández Valladolid (in religion: CRISTÓBAL OF SAINT CATHERINE), professed priest, Third Order Regular of Saint Francis and founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitallers of Jesus the Nazarene; born on 25 July 1638 in Mérida, Badajoz (Spain) and 24 July 1690 in Córdoba (Spain);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God MARIE-JOSEPHTE FITZBACH (in religion: MARIE OF THE SACRED HEART), widow and founder of the Congregation of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Good Shepherd Sisters; born on 16 October 1806 in Saint-Vallier de Bellechasse, Québec (Canada) and died on 01 September 1885 in Québec (Canada);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Bridget Teresa McCrory (in religion: Mary Angeline Teresa)  founder of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm; born on 21 January 1893 in Mountjoy, Tyrone, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) and died on 21 January 1984 in Germantown, New York (United States of America);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God BOGNER ETELKA (in religion: MÁRIA MARGIT), professed religious of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Visitation Nuns);  born on 15 December 1905 in Melenci (a.k.a. Melencze), Zrenjanin (Serbia) and died on 13 May 1933 in Erd, Pest (Hungary); and,

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God FERNANDA RIVA, professed religious of the Institute of the Daughters of Charity (Canossian Sisters); born on 01 May 1920 in Monza, Milan (Italy) and died on 22 January 1956 in Mumbai (a.k.a. Bombay), Mahārāshtra (India).

Posted by:

Charles G. Braganza 

Date:

28/06/2012

SAINTS JOHN OF Ávila AND HILDEGARD OF BINGEN TO BE PROCLAIMED DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY - Today, 27 May, after celebrating Mass in the Vatican Basilica for the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study to pray the Regina Coeli with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Before the Marian prayer the Pope announced that on 07 October, at the start of the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, he will proclaim St. John of Ávila and St. Hildegard of Bingen as Doctors of the Universal Church. "These two great witnesses of the faith lived in very different historical periods and cultural environments", he said. "Hildegard was a Benedictine nun during the height of the German Middle Ages, a true master of theology and a great scholar of the natural sciences and of music. John was a young diocesan priest of the Spanish Renaissance, who participated in the travails of the cultural and spiritual renewal of the Church and society at the dawn of the Modern Age".

The sanctity of their lives and the profundity of their doctrine mean that these two saints "retain all their importance. The grace of the Holy Spirit enabled them to experience profound understanding of divine revelation and intelligent dialogue with the world, two factors which represent the perennial goal of the life and activity of the Church".

St. John and St. Hildegard are particularly significant on the eve of the forthcoming Year of Faith, and in light of the new evangelization to which the Synod of Bishops will be dedicating its attention. "Also in our own day, and through their teaching, the Spirit of the risen Lord continues to make His voice heard and to illuminate the path which leads to the Truth, which is the only thing that can make us free and give full meaning to our lives", the Pope said.

(VIS)

Posted by:

Charles G. Braganza 

Date:

27/05/2012

JOAN HUGUET CARDONA DECLARED VENERABLE

VATICAN CITY - Today, 10 May 2012, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the martyrdom of the Servant of God JOAN HUGUET CARDONA (1913-36), a young priest of the diocese of Minorca.

Joan Huguet Cardona was born on 28 January 1913 in Alaior, Minorca (Spain) in a deeply committed Catholic family. He entered the minor seminary at the age of eleven, excelling in his studies and becoming known for his piety, friendship, and simplicity. In 1933, the family moved to Ferreries, where the seminarian engaged in active parish pastoral work among the youth. On 06 June 1936, Huguet was ordained to the priesthood by the Archbishop Manuel Irurita Almándoz  of Barcelona. He celebrated his first Mass in Ferreries on 21 June. On the evening of 23 July, six days after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the Republican brigade under Pere Marquès Barber, military governor of Minorca, entered Ferreries.  Marquès ordered several citizens, including Huguet, to present themselves before him at the town hall. On seeing the young priest, Marquès ordered Huguet to take off his cassock. While so doing so, his rosary came out. Marquès scornfully seized  it and pointed a gun at Huguet saying, "Spit at it! If you don't, I will kill you." Huguet calmly shook his head, raised his eyes upward, spread his arms wide, and with a strong and confident voice cried: "Long live Christ the King!" Marquès shot the young priest twice in the head. Although he did not die immediately, Huguet never recovered consciousness. He died within an hour, attended by his parents and other, just thirty-two days after his ordination. 

Posted by:

Charles G. Braganza 

Date:

10/05/2012

Equipollent Canonization AND SEVENTEEN dECREES PROMULGATED

VATICAN CITY - Today, 10 May 2012, Pope Benedict XVI received in a private audience Angelo Cardinal Amato, sdb, prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints.

Hildegard	T. Acerbis	M. Troncatti	B. Bachstein	R. Castaño	J. Puig	O. Focherini

During the audience, the Holy Father authorized the extension of the liturgical cultus of Saint HILDEGARD OF BINGEN, professed religious of the Order of Saint Benedictine Nuns  [born in 1089 in Bermersheim, Alzey-Worms (Germany) and died on 17 September 1179 in Bingen am Rhein, Mainz-Bingen (Germany)] to the universal Church, inscribing her in the catalogue of saints.

In that same audience, the Holy Father authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the following seventeen decrees regarding:

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God TOMMASO ACERBIS (in religion: TOMMASO FROM OLERA), professed religious of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin; born in 1563 in Olera, Bergamo (Italy) and died on 03 May 1631 in Innsbruck, Tyrol (Austria);  declared venerable on 23 October 1987;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God MARIA TRONCATTI, professed religious of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters); born on 16 February 1883 in Corteno Golgi, Brescia (Italy) and died on 25 August 1969 in Sucúa, Morona-Santiago (Ecuador); declared venerable on 12 November 2008;

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God BEDŘICH BACHSTEIN, professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor, born around 1561 in Pená, Jindřichův Hradec (Czech Republic) and 13 COMPANIONS, professed priests and religious of the Order of Friars Minor, who were killed in odium fidei  on 15 February 1611 in Prague (Czech Republic);

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God RAIMUNDO JOAQUÍN CASTAÑO GONZÁLEZ, born on 20 August 1865 in Mieres, Asturias (Spain), and JOSÉ MARÍA GONZÁLEZ SOLÍS, born on 15 January 1877 in Santibáñez de Murias, Asturias (Spain),  professed priests of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), who were killed in odium fidei  on 02 October 1936 in Bilbao, Vizcaya (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God JAUME PUIG MIROSA, professed priest of the Congregation of the Sons of  the Holy Family, born on 03 June 1908 in Terrasa, Barcelona (Spain) and died on 30 July 1936 in Blanes, Girona (Spain) , and 18 COMPANIONS, professed priests and religious of the Congregation of  the of the Sons of  the Holy Family, along with  SEBASTIÀ LLORENS TELARROJA, layperson of the diocese of Girona, who were killed in odium fidei  in various places within the region of Catalunya (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God ODOARDO FOCHERINI, layperson of the diocese of Carpi; born on 06 June 1907 in Carpi, Modena (Italy) and killed in odium fidei on 27 December 1944 in Hersbruck, Nürnberger Land (Germany);

R. Delle Nocche	F. Baraga	P. Uva	B. Pardal	F.d.P. Victor	J. Sevin

M.J. Recio	M.T. Demjanovich	E. Engel	R. Ambrosini	M. Bolognesi

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God RAFFAELLO DELLE NOCCHE, bishop of Tricarico and founder of the Sisters Disciples of the Eucharistic Jesus; born on 19 April 1877 in Marano, Naples (Italy) and died on 25 November 1960 in Tricarico, Matera (Italy);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God FREDERIC BARAGA, bishop of Marquette; born on 28 June 1797 in Knežja Vas, Trebnje (Slovenia)  and died on 19 January 1868 in Marquette, Michigan (United States of America);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God PASQUALE UVA, priest of the archdiocese of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie and founder of the Congregation of the Handmaids of Divine Providence; born on 10 August 1883 in Bisceglie, Bari (Italy) and died there on 13 September 1955;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God BALTASÁR PARDAL VIDAL, priest of the diocese of Santiago de Compostela and founder of the Secular Institute of the Daughters of the Nativity of Mary; born on 18 August 1886 in Enfesta, Santa Cristina de Fecha, La Coruña (Spain) and died on 03 March 1963 in La Coruña (Spain);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God FRANCISCO DE PAULA VICTOR, priest of the diocese of Campanha; born on 12 April 1827 in Campanha, Minas Gerais (Brazil) and died on 23 September 1905 in Três Pontas, Minas Gerais (Brazil);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God JACQUES SEVIN, professed priest of the Society of Jesus and founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem and of the Catholic Scouts of France; born on 07 December 1882 in Lille, Nord (France) and died on 19 July 1951 in Boran-sur-Oise, Oise (France);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God MARÍA JOSEFA RECIO MARTÍN (in religion: MARÍA JOSEFA OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT), founder of the Congregation of the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; born on 19 March 1846 in Granada (Spain) and died on 30 October 1883 in Ciempozuelos, Madrid (Spain);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God TERESA DEMJANOVICH (in religion: MIRIAM TERESA), professed religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth; born on 26 March 1901 in Bayonne, New Jersey (United States of America) and died on 08 May 1927 in Convent Station, New Jersey (United States of America);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God EMILIE ENGEL, professed member, Secular Institute of the Schönstatt Sisters of Mary ; born on 06 February 1893 in Husten/Drolshagen, Olpe (Germany) and died on 20 November 1955 in Metternich, Koblenz (Germany);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God RACHELE AMBROSINI, young layperson of the diocese of Benevento; born on 02 July 1925 in Venticano (a.k.a. Campanarello), Avellino (Italy) and died on 10 March 1941 in Rome (Italy); and,

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God MARIA BOLOGNESI, layperson of the diocese of Adria-Rovigo; born on 21 October 1924 in Bosaro, Rovigo (Italy) and died on 30 January 1980 in Rovigo (Italy).

Posted by:

Charles G. Braganza 

Date:

10/05/2012

FÉLIX VARELA MORALES DECLARED VENERABLE

VATICAN CITY - Today, 14 March 2012, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God FÉLIX VARELA MORALES (1788-1853), priest of the diocese of San Cristóbal de la Habana.

Félix Francisco José María de la Concepción Varela Morales was born on 20 November 1788 in Havana, Cuba (then a Spanish colony). Due to ill health, the death of his mother, and the prolonged absence of his father, he traveled with his aunt to Saint Augustine, Florida in 1794. Years later, he returned to Havana to enter the College Seminary of Saint Charles and Saint Ambrose and was ordained to the priesthood on 21 December 1811. Distinguished for his lively intellect and profound culture, Varela was elected in 1821 to represent the Cuban people in the Spanish Parliament. There in Madrid, he introduced propositions favoring the abolition of slavery and the autonomy of the Spain’s provinces in America. Because of King Ferdinand VII’s crackdown against the opposition in 1823, Varela fled from political oppression and went to New York. He lived there for the next thirty years of his life, first as a political exile and afterwards as a parish priest and then as vicar general of the newly created diocese. Committed to the pastoral care of the people, Varela constructed new churches, created social works, asylums and schools for children and fostered the integration of the different immigrant groups. He was an exemplary priest, zealous to evangelize the people and to build  the community of Christ’s faithful. Afflicted with asthma, he later moved to Florida and spent the last years of his life there. Always abandoned to the Divine will, Varela died on 25 February 1853 in the city of Saint Augustine.

Posted by:

Charles G. Braganza 

Date:

14/03/2012

Canonization SCHEDULE Announced

VATICAN CITY - At 10:30 a.m. this morning, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the fourth ordinary public consistory of his pontificate, during which he created twenty-two new cardinals. Following the ceremony, Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, introduced the ordinary public consistory for the canonization of the following Blesseds:

• JACQUES BERTHIEU, professed priest of the Society of Jesus, martyr;

• PEDRO CALUNGSOD, young layperson of the archdiocese of Cebu, martyr;

• GIOVANNI BATTISTA PIAMARTA, priest and founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth and founder of the Congregation of the Sisters, Humble Servants of the Lord;

• María del Carmen Sallés Barengueras,  founder of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Education;

• Marianne Cope, professed religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis of Syracuse;

• Kateri Tekakwitha, young layperson of the archdiocese of Montréal ; and,

• Anna Schäffer,  layperson of the diocese of Regensburg.

The Holy Father decreed that the canonization ceremony for these seven Blesseds will take place on Sunday, 21 October 2012.

Posted by:

Charles G. Braganza 

Date:

18/02/2012