SAINT FEAST DAY 23 SEPTEMBER: BL. FRANCISCO DE PAULA VICTOR

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 23rd of September

WELCOME!

BLESSED FRANCISCO DE PAULA VICTOR, PRIEST

Blessed Francisco de Paula Victor was born on April 12, 1827 in the town of Campanha da Princesa da Beirathe, then part of the Empire of Brazil, to a slave, Lourenca Justiniana de Jesus, and an unknown father. He was baptised on the following April 20. His godmother was his mother's owner, Marianna Santa Barbara Ferreira, who was known for her treatment of her slaves with dignity. Under the tutelage of Marianna, Francisco learned how to read and write in addition to learning the French language and the nuances of the piano. 

HIS SOLE DESIRE WAS TO BECOME A PRIEST

Francisco was apprenticed to a tailor but his sole desire was to become a priest, which his mother held as being unthinkable, because her son was black and born out of wedlock. Marianna approached the town pastor, Antonio Felipe de Araujo, who supported Francisco in this quest. He invited the local bishop, Antonio Ferreira Vicloso, C.M., the Bishop of Mariana, to come meet the boy and determine if he would waive these impediments to his pursuing Holy Orders.

HE INVITED THE LOCAL BISHOP 

The bishop made a positive determination in his favour and Francisco began his seminary studies in Mariana under the guidance of his pastor from June 5, 1849, having been given his freedom by his owner. 

One seminarian wrote of him, "Victor was patient, always patient" while another wrote that "Victor always had hope". It was because of his humble nature as well as his sheer determination to become a priest that he managed to win the sympathy of all. Bl. Francisco de Paula Victor was ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1851 by Vicoso - himself now honoured as Venerable.

HE WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST

Fr Francisco was sent by the bishop to serve as the vicar of the Parish in Tres Pontas, where he would serve until his death, soon succeeding the pastor after his death. Fr Francisco's determination in parish affairs led to much support from the public. Fr Francisco lived on donations alone and lived in a simple farmhouse where he soon became known for his humble and charitable nature to all those whom required aid. 

HE WAS A MUCH LOVED FATHER TO ALL

One of the initiatives that he led was the establishment of the College of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia). It was open to all children, regardless of race, and there he taught children music and the French language, as he had himself once learned, and also instructed them in the catechism of the Catholic faith. Eventually he built the Church of Nossa Senhora d'Ajuda (Our Lady of Help), which was the largest church in the state and is now honoured as a minor basilica.

HE BUILT THE LARGEST CHURCH IN THE STATE

Fr Francisco died on September 23, 1905 after suffering a stroke. After his body lay in state for a period of three days due to the widespread mourning, he was buried in his parish church. His remains were exhumed in 1999 as part of the beatification process after which they were re-interred in a new sarcophagus in the church.

HEROIC VIRTUE

Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed Francisco de Paula Victor to be Venerable in 2012 after the recognition of his life of heroic virtue. Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints presided over the beatification ceremony - on behalf of the pope - on November 14, 2015 in Fr Francisco's former parish church.

The cause now proceeds to seek Francisco's canonisation. The postulator of the cause is Paolo Vilotta. 

Blessed Fr Francisco, pray for us. 🙏

Information from Wikipedia - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_de_Paula_Victor - external link

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Blessed Francisco de Paula Victor may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.