This Sunday, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, the beatification of priest Moisés Lira Serafín was celebrated. Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, presided over the ceremony on behalf of Pope Francis, who followed the event from the Vatican.
A Recognition from the Heart of Mexico
The iconic Marian shrine, center of the Catholic faith in Mexico, was the setting where Moisés Lira Serafín (died in 1950) was declared blessed. Pope Francis, during the Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace, referred to the new blessed, praising his life of dedication and service. Francis expressed his wish that «his apostolic zeal may inspire priests to give themselves unreservedly for the spiritual good of the holy people of God,» words that were received with applause by the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
Legacy of Service and Foundation
Moisés Lira Serafín is primarily remembered as the founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity of Mary Immaculate. His pastoral work was characterized by a deep commitment to strengthening faith and charity in the communities he served. The beatification constitutes an official recognition by the Catholic Church of his life of heroic virtues and dedication to the most needy, presenting him as a model of priestly life.
The Meaning of Beatification
In the Catholic canonization process, beatification is a fundamental step. It implies that the Pope declares that a deceased person lived a life of heroic virtues or died as a martyr, granting them the title of blessed. This act allows for their public veneration, generally limited to a region, diocese, or religious family. For non-martyrs, as is the case of Father Lira Serafín, this recognition usually requires the verification of a miracle obtained through his intercession. Beatification is, therefore, a penultimate step before canonization, which is the universal declaration of sainthood.
Original source: www.ejecentral.com.mx (published on September 15, 2024)
Photo: Edgar Henríquez, LC on Unsplash
