MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� Mexico鈥檚 Catholic Church is getting a new addition to its ranks of 鈥渂lessed,鈥� with the beatification of the Rev. Mois茅s Lira.
The beatification ceremony was taking Saturday at , led by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, who was appointed by Pope Francis for the occasion.
Before Lira, the latest Mexican to be beatified was Mar铆a Concepci贸n Cabrera in 2019.
Here鈥檚 a look at Lira鈥檚 life in a country Catholics.
Who was Mois茅s Lira?
He was born in September 1893 in Puebla, one of Mexico鈥檚 most conservative states.
His mother died when he was 5 and he suffered the absence of his father, who had to relocate for work.
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茅lix de Jes煤s Rougier. And in 1922, after being ordained a priest, he wrote the motto that would define his life: 鈥淚t is necessary to be very small to be a great saint.鈥�
Lira devoted his life to teach catechists, care for the ill and offer spiritual guidance to vulnerable communities. In 1934, he founded a congregation 鈥� the Missionaries of Charity of Mary Immaculate 鈥� as well as schools and psychiatric institutions.
He died in Mexico City in 1950.
What is the miracle attributed to him?
According to Mother Mar铆a de la Luz Nava, from the congregation founded by Lira, the miracle took place between May and June 2004.
Back then, a pregnant woman from Guanajuato 鈥� another of Mexico鈥檚 conservative states 鈥� got the worst news imaginable: at 18 weeks of gestation, her unborn daughter suffered from a condition characterized by accumulation of fluid.
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.
鈥淭here wasn鈥檛 much hope,鈥� Mother Mar铆a de la Luz said. 鈥淏ut they were very clear about one thing: they were not going to opt for . They were going to continue looking for options so that their daughter would be born well.鈥�
Back home, the woman found a brochure on the Rev. Lira鈥檚 work. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know you,鈥� she told him. 鈥淏ut please, help me.鈥�
For nine days, she prayed. And when a new doctor鈥檚 appointment came, a surprise awaited.
鈥淲hat did you do?鈥� the doctor asked the couple. 鈥淏ecause your daughter is healthy.鈥�
鈥淭his is where the intercession of Father Mois茅s is very evident,鈥� said Mother Mar铆a de la Luz. 鈥淎nd it shows how a miracle is produced by faith.鈥�
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.
What causes can be entrusted to Lira?
According to the Rev. David Padr贸n, who has worked on causes for canonization, the miracle attributed to Lira makes him a protector of life from conception.
鈥淭his is a very strong message from God,鈥� Padr贸n said. 鈥淢aybe those mothers who have a problem during their pregnancies can confide in him.鈥�
Aside from that, he said, parishioners could also entrust him with health and education causes, because Lira worked extensively with sick people and students.
鈥淢uch of his pastoral work dignified those who, due to illness, poverty or some other situation, did not enjoy a dignified life in society,鈥� Padr贸n said.
What鈥檚 next?
Catholic leaders trust that a second miracle would be produced after Saturday鈥檚 beatification, which would allow them to pursue Lira's canonization.
In the meantime, local parishes will honor him each June 15. 鈥淲e 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,鈥� Padr贸n said.
Lira鈥檚 most treasured relic is a metacarpal bone from his right hand. It鈥檚 symbolic, Padr贸n said, because Lira shared the Gospel through his writings and it鈥檚 part of the pointing finger.
鈥淭he blessed and the saints are men and women who point us to Christ,鈥� he said.
A few first-class relics 鈥� body parts of Lira 鈥� will be soon distributed through parishes that were significant in his life or for Mexico鈥檚 Catholic community, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe鈥檚 Basilica and Puebla鈥檚 cathedral.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP鈥檚 with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Mar铆a Teresa Hern谩ndez, The Associated Press
