Pope Francis on Friday signed a decree declaring the “heroic virtues” of Brazilian sister Benigna Victima de Jesus, who died in 1981, in what represents the first step in the process of beatification of the nun.
The Catholic Church leader signed the document today, after an audience with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
The sister, baptized as Maria Conceição Santos, was born on August 16, 1907, in the city of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, to a Catholic family.
In 1934, she joined the Congregation of Sisters Helping Our Lady of Piedade. On March 16, 1936, she made her first profession of religious vows, and on January 6, 1941, she perpetuated them.
Two years later, Sister Benigna was appointed mother superior of Santa Casa Manuel Gonçalves de Itaúna, where she dedicated time to prayer, helping the sick and catechesis.
“During her life, she was discriminated against for a long time because of racial prejudice for being black, even by some of her sisters, also linked to her physical appearance and various diseases, including obesity and hormonal disorders that caused her a lot of suffering. hid his hurts through his peculiar sense of humor and self-irony and the grace that was where he got the strength to overcome difficulties and continue to donate to others doing good”, indicates report of the website “Vatican News”.
After her health deteriorated, she was admitted to a hospital in Belo Horizonte, where she died on October 16, 1981.
The title of Worshipful Servant of God, is given to the dead person recognized for “having lived the virtues in a heroic way”.
In order for her to be considered blessed from that point on, she must have performed a miracle through her intercession. For her to become a saint, a second miracle is necessary, proven after her declaration as blessed.
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