Centennial would not be complete without the canonization – Bishop António Marto

Centennial would not be complete without the canonization – Bishop António Marto

The Bishop of Leiria- Fatima, António Marto, affirmed today that the Centennial of the Apparitions “would not be complete without the canonization” of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, about which he had a “trustworthy hope”, but confessed that he was not expecting the news to come so soon.

Bishop António Marto admitted the possibility of having the ceremony on the 13th of May, in Fatima, but highlighted that the decision is of the “exclusive competence” of the Holy Father.

Fatima is global, but the Little Shepherds are of the diocese

“It’s a moment of joy for the Portuguese catholic population and for the entire Portugal, and the Centennial would not be complete without the canonization” he stressed, during a press conference with the rector of the Shrine of Fatima, Fr. Carlos Cabecinhas, and with the Postulator for the Cause of Canonization of Francisco and Jacinta, Sister Ângela Coelho.

As the bishop of Leiria-Fatima, he referred that the announcement constitutes a “great Joy”, for “Fatima is global, but the little shepherds are of the diocese”.

The best of the news in the Centennial

For the rector of the Shrine of Fatima, this is “the best of the news in the Centennial of the Apparitions”, for it underlines, “through this way of holiness, a Message that remains relevant”.

Fr. Carlos Cabecinhas, who manifested a “great joy” for the news, also pointed out that it’s about the canonization of “two children who are part of the Message and history of Fatima”.

Sister Ângela Coelho, whom bishop António Marto publicly praised for her great work, underlined the fact that Francisco and Jacinta are the youngest non-martyr saints in the history of the Catholic Church.

"And they were born here, in this diocese” she added, pointing out the “happy coincidence” of having the canonization in the year of the celebration of the Centennial of the Apparitions.

Coincidence also highlighted by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP), in a statement rejoicing with the news of the approval of the miracle attributed to the seers of Fatima.

The spokesperson and secretary of CEP, Fr. Manuel Barbosa, added that they wait “with serene expectation” the decision on the place and date of the ceremony of the canonization.

Canonization after 65 years

The Vatican announced today that Pope Francis approved the miraculous healing of a Brazilian child attributed to the two blessed, last step of the process of the canonization of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, initiated 65 years ago.

The decision on the place and date of the ceremony will be taken during a meeting of Pope Francis with the cardinals (consistory), scheduled to the 20th of April.

The brothers Francisco and Jacinta Marto witnessed, with their cousin Lucia, the Apparitions of Our Lady in Cova da Iria, between May and October 1917.

Francisco, who died with 11 years old, and Jacinta, who died before turning 10 years old, are buried in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Fatima, with Lucia.

The process of canonization of the two brothers started on the 30th of April 1952, when bishop of Leiria, José Alves Correia da Silva, opened the two diocesan processes on the fame of holiness and the virtues of the two brothers.

Following a parallel path, the diocesan phase of the process of Jacinta was closed on the 2nd of June 1979, containing 77 sessions and 27 witnesses. The process of Francisco was closed a month later, on the 1st of August, with 63 sessions and 25 witnesses.

Ten years later, on the 13th of May 1989, John Paul II decreed the heroism of the virtues of Francisco and Jacinta and the two little shepherds were considered venerable, which was the first time in the Catholic Church’s history with non-martyr children.

From this point on, the two processes become united in one.

The following step of the process of beatification of Francisco and Jacinta happens ten years later, on the 28th of June 1999, when Pope John Paul II promulgates the decree on the miraculous healing of Emília Santos, received through the intercession of the two little shepherds, opening the path to the beatification, a celebration that came to happen in Fatima, in the following year, on the 13th of May.

The beatification was being prepared to be held in Rome, but on the will of the polish Pope, the celebration was transferred to Fatima, where John Paul II beatified Francisco and Jacinta Marto, presenting them to the Church and to the world as «two candles that God lit to illumine humanity in its dark and anxious hours».

The pontific decree concedes that the venerable Francisco and Jacinta be considered blessed, and their liturgical feast be celebrated on the 20th of February.

Sister Lucia was present in the celebration of the beatification of the cousins and had at that time her last meeting with John Paul II.

The canonization is the confirmation by the Church that someone is worthy of universal public cult (in the case of the blessed, the cult is diocesan) and of being given to the faithful as an intercessor and model of holiness.