RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The ceremony of the beatification of Fray Mamerto Esquiú will take place next Saturday, September 4, in Catamarca, on the esplanade of the Church of San José de Piedra Blanca.
A man who “knew how to respond to the challenges of his time”. This is underlined by the Minister of the Franciscan Province of the Assumption of Mary of the Río de la Plata in Argentina, Fray Emilio Andrada, referring to the main characteristic of his brother Fray Mamerto Esquiú (1826-1883), who will be beatified next Saturday, September 4.
When asked by the aica agency how the Franciscan family lives in this period before the beatification, the friar explained that the Franciscan Order, which in Argentina has been called “Franciscan Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin of the River Plate” for 409 years, has been responsible for the beatification of Fray Mamerto Esquiú practically since his death. However, canonically the process was initiated only in 1923. He added:
He also explained that the celebration of the beatification is the responsibility of the diocese where the case is located. In Fray Mamerto Esquiú, it is the Archdiocese of Córdoba because he died in that jurisdiction. “However, since his devotion is more intense in the Diocese of Catamarca, the central celebrations will be held on September 4 in Catamarca and the following day in the afternoon in the Cathedral of Córdoba. As a religious order committed to the cause, we are especially invited to participate in these celebrations,” he said in advance.
Franciscan Family in Argentina
The Franciscan Family in Argentina, composed of the first Franciscan orders (Friars Minor, Conventuals, and Capuchins), as well as all the congregations, especially the women’s congregations, which are Franciscan-inspired, and also the Franciscan Secular Order (OFS), The Franciscan laity, with its young branch, the Franciscan Youth (YouFra), is very mobilized by this good news, Fray Andrada acknowledged, saying that “the beatification will certainly be a starting point for many initiatives around the figure of Esquiú.”
THE FIGURE
Referring to the figure of Fray Esquiú and his traces in the community, the minister affirmed: “As the new generations of friars get to know the life of Fray Mamerto Esquiú, the mark he has left on the life of the Franciscans in Argentina becomes more evident. Fraternity and minority are distinctive features of Franciscan spirituality. Fray Mamerto Esquiú stood out in both traits.”
Active agent in the restoration of community life.
“Fraternity” – he explained – “because he was active in the restoration of the community life of the Franciscans of his time, because this was an aspect that had been somewhat neglected and was the object of concern of the authorities of the Order and of the Church; community life is essential for the friars”.
Regarding the other aspect, that of being a minority, he said that “it was also essential and Esquiú”, that he sought it “consciously and intentionally, because when his good reputation put him in danger of becoming comfortable in the society of his time, he sought to escape it, preferring to retire for many years in Tarija, Bolivia, for prayer, study and mission”.