Pope could preside at Beatifications during visit to Brazil in May

Vatican City, Jan 31, 2007 / 10:32 am

Pope Benedict XVI, who is scheduled to visit Brazil May 9-13 for the 5th General Conference of the Latin American Bishops, could beatify four Brazilian Servants of God, according to media sources in Rome.

In statements to the I-Media Catholic news agency, an official of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Father Jose Luis Gomez Guiterrez, said, “The decision to celebrate the beatification during the Pope’s visit to Brazil has already been made.  But the details have not yet been ironed out.”

Among the new Blesseds will be Brother Emanuele Gomez Gonzalez of Spain and Adilio Daronch, a young Brazilian, who were killed for their religious beliefs on May 21, 1924, in the Brazilian rain forest.

Also among the candidates for beatification is Albertina Berkenbrock, known as the “Maria Goretti of Brazil,” who was born on April 11, 1919, in Sao Luis and was murdered on June 15, 1931, at the age of 12 as she defended her purity.

The fourth new blessed will be Sister Lindalva Justo de Oliveira of the Society of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who was born on October 20, 1953, and died for the faith on April 9, 1993, in Sao Salvador de Bahia.

On December 16 of last year, Pope Benedict approved the decrees of Beatification presented by Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.