Mexico City’s Catholic Church is celebrating the beatification of the Rev. Moisés Lira, adding him to the ranks of the blessed. The ceremony took place at Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Basilica and was led by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, appointed by Pope Francis for the occasion. Lira is the latest Mexican to be beatified, following María Concepción Cabrera in 2019. Lira was born in 1893 in Puebla, one of Mexico’s most conservative states, and dedicated his life to teaching catechists, caring for the ill, and providing spiritual guidance to vulnerable communities. In 1934, he founded the Missionaries of Charity of Mary Immaculate, along with schools and psychiatric institutions. He passed away in Mexico City in 1950.
The miracle attributed to Lira, which led to his beatification, occurred between May and June 2004. A pregnant woman from Guanajuato, another conservative state in Mexico, faced a dire situation when her unborn daughter was diagnosed with a condition that could be fatal. Despite the doctor’s recommendation to terminate the pregnancy, the woman and her husband refused and sought help through prayers to Lira. After nine days of prayer, they received the miraculous news that their daughter was healthy. This miracle was deemed by the congregation founded by Lira as evidence of his intercession and the power of faith. The beatification request was made in 2014, and Pope Francis issued a decree for the miracle in 2023.
The Rev. David Padrón, who has worked on causes for canonization, highlights the significance of Lira’s miracle in making him a protector of life from conception. This message from God could offer comfort to mothers facing pregnancy complications and individuals seeking health and education causes. Culturally significant parishes in Mexico will honor Lira each June 15, with hopes for his eventual canonization after a potential second miracle. Lira’s relics, including a metacarpal bone from his right hand, will be distributed to parishes associated with his life or significant to Mexico’s Catholic community. These relics serve as a symbolic reminder of Lira’s dedication to sharing the Gospel and pointing others towards Christ.
The Catholic leaders anticipate that a second miracle attributed to Lira will pave the way for his canonization, solidifying his place among the saints. Meanwhile, local parishes in Mexico will continue to honor him annually, hoping for his eventual celebration worldwide. Padrón emphasizes the symbolic importance of Lira’s relics, particularly the metacarpal bone, as a representation of the blessed and saints guiding followers towards Christ. The distribution of first-class relics to significant parishes reflects the continued reverence and importance of Lira’s legacy in the Mexican Catholic community. The Associated Press’s coverage of religion receives support through collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP remains solely responsible for the accuracy and content of this report.
