A report from Argentina about the ceremony for the beatification of Cardinal Eduardo Francisco Pironio on 16 December 2023.
In Luján in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 16 December 2023, a crowd gathered in front of the basilica where there was a stage set up as an altar. We had come from far and near, from different backgrounds and experiences, to be part of a special occasion of faith, mystery and gratitude. Some of us recognised each other from the past. Many joined from a distance with a desire to be there in person, but through digital media they could capture the atmosphere and hear the emotional voice of Bishop Carlos Malfa pronounce the long-awaited formula:
“Eduardo Francisco Pironio, cardinal of the holy Roman Church, witness of evangelical hope and patience, indefatigable defender of the causes of the poor, from now on be called blessed, and may this be celebrated every year in those places pursuant to established regulations, on 4 February.”
Applause mingled with tears of joy as the picture unfurled of the familiar, smiling and peaceful face, while the bells of the basilica rang out in proclamation like a Magnificat. We were rejoicing in the holiness of a friend, a spiritual father, a brother, a fellow countryman and a contemporary. He lived through a large part of the 20th century doing good. He was very aware of God’s immense love for us all and had great faith in that.
At the beginning of the ceremony, we listened to a song that means very much to some generations – “A new sun rises over the new civilisation that is born today, bonds stronger than hatred and death, we know that the way is love.” It was a reminder of the first World Youth Day held in Buenos Aires on 9 de Julio Avenue on Palm Sunday 1987 with St John Paul II. It brought back memories of God's passage through so many lives including that of Cardinal Pironio.
Nor could Cardinal Fernando Vergez, delegated by Pope Francis to preside over the ceremony, hide his emotion as he pronounced the opening words of the Mass. Twenty-three years of loyal collaboration and spiritual affiliation seemed to be concentrated in this moment so charged with the past and at the same time with eternity. Magnificat!
According to the standard ritual, Bishop Oscar Ojea, on behalf of the Argentinean Episcopal Conference, requested that Cardinal Eduardo Francisco Pironio be added to the ranks of the Blessed. The postulator, Fr Toni Witwer SJ, gave a biographical summary of Pironio's life. This was followed by a reading of the apostolic letter proclaiming the new Blessed. It was read first in Latin by Cardinal Vergez and then in Spanish by Pironio’s former secretary in Mar del Plata, Carlos Malfa, now bishop of Chascomús.
Then Juan Manuel Franco -- the young man who was cured without medical explanation when he was fifteen months old after his parents prayed a novena through the intercession of the Servant of God Cardinal Eduardo Pironio -- brought a relic of the newly beatified to the altar accompanied by his family.
The original image of Our Lady of Luján was placed on the altar by the archbishop of Mercedes Luján. He spoke of the importance of the event and pointed out that the small carving of over four hundred years old was much venerated by Pironio.
At the end of the celebration, a brief pilgrimage was made to the tomb of the newly beatified, located on a side altar of the basilica, at the feet of Our Lady of Luján.
The bishops, priests, nuns and lay people were moved by the signs of faith and devotion.
From time to time a person enters history and others note something special in that person’s life which transcends the individual person who has become a gift for others. This is the case of Cardinal Eduardo Francisco Pironio, and those of us who knew him and dealt with him are witnesses.
It is extraordinary when transcendence is produced through the humanly inexplicable. The light of faith takes over, as the members of the Franco family have testified. They are not only grateful for the miracle of Juan Manuel's life, but also for the simplicity and joy with which they share the graces they have received since then. We rejoice and feel blessed, Magnificat!
The Teresian Association's gratitude
Among the crowd, there were some members of the Teresian Association representing so many people who are grateful to Pironio and would have liked to be in Luján that happy morning.
It is a story that goes back to the sixties and speaks of friendship, accompaniment, spiritual exercises, pastoral and general councils, Masses and countless occasions of shared prayer.
He was a faithful admirer of St Pedro Poveda and shared his birthday, December 3, and spiritual affinity. He was responsible for presenting the positio super virtutibus during the canonisation, and he presided with emotion at the thanksgiving Mass for the beatification of Pedro Poveda and Victoria Díez at the high altar of St Peter's Basilica on 11 October 1993.
In 1996 he wrote about Poveda from Jaén and said that “Poveda was a master of prayer in his preaching, in his writings, in his gestures, in his silence and in his serene and deep contemplation. It was not necessary for him to speak; it was enough for him to be there. When Jesus was asked by his disciples to teach them to pray, ‘Jesus was praying’ (Lk 11:1). That is why Poveda would say: pray like Jesus and with Jesus. At the centre of Poveda's life -- priest, person of God, teacher of prayer -- is Christ. ‘For me life is Christ’ (Phil 1:21). ‘I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me’ (Gal 2:19-20).”
Cardinal Pironio's human and spiritual qualities were clear, as well as his finesse and depth in the exercise of his ministry. We rejoice and give thanks for his long awaited beatification which confirms an intuition shared by so many people. We ask for his intercession in these times of great challenges when the Teresian Association celebrates the centenary of pontifical approval. We hope that he will soon be proclaimed a saint.
Click here to access the text of what Cardinal Pironio wrote about St Pedro Poveda (in Spanish).
Laura Moreno, Luján.
TA Translators Team.
Published in News