AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Widespread mobilisation and expectancy for beatification of young Mapuche, Ceferino Namuncurá, an event of capital importance for Argentina and the Church

Thursday, 8 November 2007

Chimpay (Agenzia Fides) - Everything is ready for the beatification on Sunday 11 November of young Mapuche Ceferino Namuncurá, in Chimpay, Río Negro, where he was born. To promote active participation in this event of capital importance for Argentina and the local Church, abundant material has been distributed. Among preparatory initiatives organised, a 2-10 November Novena all over the country with a set prayer for the occasion. The local Catholic community in Chimpay has held various “Evangelisation Days” and popular Missions on the theme "with Ceferino we want to see Jesus".
The organisers say the beatification is deeply felt in the region of Patagonia and about 100,000 people are expected to attend the Mass presided by the Pope's Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. In the afternoon of the same Sunday 11 November, the Cardinal will visit Maria Auxiliatrix School in Bahia Blanca, to pray in the chapel in front of the urn containing the earthly remains of Blessed Laura Vicuña.
Other initiatives organised on the occasion of the beatification of Ceferino, include: a special Sunday evening Mass of thanksgiving in Our Lady of Peace Cathedral at Lomas de Zamora, with the exposition of an image of Ceferino Namuncurá; in Salta all church bells will chime on Sunday 11 November; in Almagro on Salesian Evangelisation Day Friday 16 November, a historical cultural spectacle with the intervention of Mgr Juan Guillermo Durán and concert. The Bishops of Argentina, in plenary assembly, will conclude on Friday 9 November with the singing of Te Deum of thanksgiving and the some will travel to Chimpay.
In a message of congratulations for the Beatification, addressed to Fr Pascual Chávez, rector major of Salesians in Argentina, the Master general of the Dominicans (OP), Argentinean Carlos A. Azpiroz Costa, stressed the importance of the Salesian presence in Patagonia, which Don Bosco called "the land of my dreams, the promised land”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/11/2007; righe 28, parole 382)


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