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MEXICO CITY (AP) \u2014 Mexico\u2019s Catholic Church is getting a new addition to its ranks of \u201cblessed,\u201d with the beatification of the Rev. Mois\u00e9s Lira.<\/p>\n
The beatification ceremony was taking Saturday at Our Lady of Guadalupe\u2019s Basilica<\/a>, led by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, who was appointed by Pope Francis for the occasion.<\/p>\n Before Lira, the latest Mexican to be beatified was Mar\u00eda Concepci\u00f3n Cabrera in 2019.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at Lira\u2019s life in a country that\u2019s home to nearly 100 million<\/a> Catholics.<\/p>\n Who was Mois\u00e9s Lira?<\/p>\n He was born in September 1893 in Puebla, one of Mexico\u2019s most conservative states.<\/p>\n His mother died when he was 5 and he suffered the absence of his father, who had to relocate for work.<\/p>\n Lira dreamt of becoming a priest from a young age. In 1914, he became the first novice of a congregation founded by French priest F\u00e9lix de Jes\u00fas Rougier. And in 1922, after being ordained a priest, he wrote the motto that would define his life: \u201cIt is necessary to be very small to be a great saint.\u201d<\/p>\n Lira devoted his life to teach catechists, care for the ill and offer spiritual guidance to vulnerable communities. In 1934, he founded a congregation \u2014 the Missionaries of Charity of Mary Immaculate \u2014 as well as schools and psychiatric institutions.<\/p>\n He died in Mexico City in 1950.<\/p>\n What is the miracle attributed to him?<\/p>\n According to Mother Mar\u00eda de la Luz Nava, from the congregation founded by Lira, the miracle took place between May and June 2004.<\/p>\n Back then, a pregnant woman from Guanajuato \u2014 another of Mexico\u2019s conservative states \u2014 got the worst news imaginable: at 18 weeks of gestation, her unborn daughter suffered from a condition characterized by accumulation of fluid.<\/p>\n The diagnosis, the doctor said, could be fatal for the fetus or affect the mother. And though he offered to terminate the pregnancy, the woman and her husband refused.<\/p>\n \u201cThere wasn\u2019t much hope,\u201d Mother Mar\u00eda de la Luz said. \u201cBut they were very clear about one thing: they were not going to opt for abortion<\/a>. They were going to continue looking for options so that their daughter would be born well.\u201d<\/p>\n Back home, the woman found a brochure on the Rev. Lira\u2019s work. \u201cI don\u2019t know you,\u201d she told him. \u201cBut please, help me.\u201d<\/p>\n For nine days, she prayed. And when a new doctor\u2019s appointment came, a surprise awaited.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you do?\u201d the doctor asked the couple. \u201cBecause your daughter is healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is where the intercession of Father Mois\u00e9s is very evident,\u201d said Mother Mar\u00eda de la Luz. \u201cAnd it shows how a miracle is produced by faith.\u201d<\/p>\n De la Luz’s congregation learned about the case in 2014. The beatification request was made through the local diocese the following year and eight years passed until Pope Francis issued a decree for the miracle in 2023.<\/p>\n What causes can be entrusted to Lira?<\/p>\n According to the Rev. David Padr\u00f3n, who has worked on causes for canonization, the miracle attributed to Lira makes him a protector of life from conception.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a very strong message from God,\u201d Padr\u00f3n said. \u201cMaybe those mothers who have a problem during their pregnancies can confide in him.\u201d<\/p>\n Aside from that, he said, parishioners could also entrust him with health and education causes, because Lira worked extensively with sick people and students.<\/p>\n \u201cMuch of his pastoral work dignified those who, due to illness, poverty or some other situation, did not enjoy a dignified life in society,\u201d Padr\u00f3n said.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?<\/p>\n Catholic leaders trust that a second miracle would be produced after Saturday\u2019s beatification, which would allow them to pursue Lira’s canonization.<\/p>\n In the meantime, local parishes will honor him each June 15. \u201cWe have included him as part of the saints of the Archdiocese of Mexico, hoping that, when he is canonized, he can be celebrated throughout the world,\u201d Padr\u00f3n said.<\/p>\n Lira\u2019s most treasured relic is a metacarpal bone from his right hand. It\u2019s symbolic, Padr\u00f3n said, because Lira shared the Gospel through his writings and it\u2019s part of the pointing finger.<\/p>\n \u201cThe blessed and the saints are men and women who point us to Christ,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A few first-class relics \u2014 body parts of Lira \u2014 will be soon distributed through parishes that were significant in his life or for Mexico\u2019s Catholic community, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe\u2019s Basilica and Puebla\u2019s cathedral.<\/p>\n ____<\/p>\n Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP\u2019s collaboration<\/a> with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n