Slave who became priest beatified in Brazil

November 16, 2015

Father Francisco de Paula Victor (1827-1905), a Brazilian priest who was born into slavery, was beatified on November 14 in Três Pontas, the small city in which he faced much initial opposition to his ministry.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presided at the outdoor Mass of beatification.

Earlier this year, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to his intercession: a Brazilian woman made a novena to him and bore a child after doctors told her that it was physically impossible for her to conceive.

“He was a Brazilian priest of African origin, the son of a slave,” Pope Francis said on November 15 following the recitation of the Angelus. “A generous parish priest, dedicated to catechesis and administering the sacraments, he was particularly distinguished by his great humility. May his extraordinary testimony be a model for so many priests, called to be humble servants of the people of God.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Beatificação de Padre Victor (Globo)
• Cidade deve receber 100 mil fiéis para beatificação de Padre Victor em MG (Globo)
• Angelus Address: On Today and the End Times (Zenit)