Sao Paulo, Brazil (Wednesday, January 20, 2016, Gaudium Press) The Servant of God, Mother Cecilia of the Heart of Mary, foundress of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Mary, has her process of beatification being studied by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome.
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Sister Magdalene Calgarôto, who is dealing with this case, commented that in 1998, the Vatican had granted permission to continue the process. “In these 23 years a lot of research has been done, much material has been produced and above all many graces have been obtained” she said.
About the virtues of Mother Cecilia, Sister Magdalene points out specially her faith and her trust in God’s providence. “I think the virtue that moved her whole life was to surrender to the will of God. Another virtue that was very much alive in her was her trust in Mary’s heart, her joy of living and her desire for the other sisters, when they will reach old age, that they will be able to feel the joy of living as she felt it herself.”
The Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Mary are asking people who received graces through her intercession to let them know as it can be useful for the beatification process.
The opening of the process for her canonization started in September 1992 by the bishop of Piracicaba at the time, His Excellency Eduardo Koiak. The first step of this process at the diocesan level ended in 1997.
Servant of God Mother Cecilia
Antonia Martins de Macedo was born in Piracicaba, in the State of São Paulo, in 1852, and since her childhood she had the desire to consecrate herself to God in the religious life. But her father had other plans for her and decided to marry her to Francisco Borges Ferreira. Their marriage lasted only five years as Francisco died leaving her with three children: Rosa, Joao and Antonio.
Later Antonia inspired by the Capuchin Friars in Piracicaba, joined the Secular Franciscan Order.
On February 2, 1898, under her inspiration, the “Asylum of the Heart of Mary” was opened in order to accommodate orphaned girls. On September 30, 1900, the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Mary was established, with Mother Cecilia becoming its foundress. She had to go through many difficulties in her life but she loved to think: “The storm is great, but even greater is the power of God”.
Mother Cecilia, known as “the woman of the blessing” used to say: “The Heart of Mary will provide”. After spending the rest of her life at the service of the most in need she died on September 6, 1950, at the age of 98. (LMI)
Source: Vatican Radio and the “Irmas Franciscanas do Coração de Maria”
