First Brazilian-Born Saint, Sister Dulce is Canonized by Pope Francis in the Vatican

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Thousands of worshippers and clergy fill St. Peter’s Square, where Pope Francis has just canonized Maria Dulce Lopes (1914-1992), called Sister Dulce, who is now Saint Dulce of the Poor. John Henry Newman, Giuseppina Vannini, Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan, and Margherite Bays were also canonized.

With the exception of Dulce, all of those canonized died in the 19th century or the first three decades of the 20th century, which illustrates the swiftness of the process that acknowledged the holiness of the nun from Salvador, Bahia, the first Brazilian-born person to be canonized.

Musician José Maurício Moreira, who regained his sight after intercession from Sister Dulce – a miracle recognized by the Vatican – said this Saturday that he would attend Mass, but that his role had not been disclosed in detail.

In the booklet on the ceremony, Sister Dulce is described as follows: “Dulce Lopes Pontes, formerly Maria Rita, was born on May 26th, 1914 in São Salvador da Bahia, into a wealthy family, marked by strong Christian convictions and active charity. From childhood, she stood out for her great sensitivity towards the poor and the needy.”

After completing her higher studies, she embraced religious life in the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God, linked to the Order of Minor Friars, serving as a nurse and teacher. Encouraged by intense missionary zeal, Sister Dulce also devoted herself earnestly to the instruction of workers, but it was above all in the assistance and care of the poorest and the neediest that she exercised her generous service.

Dulce’s charitable action was fully materialized with the foundation of an association of social works and the construction of a shelter, the “St. Anthony’s Shelter”. Her charity was maternal and affectionate. Her dedication to the poor had a supernatural foundation and from Above she received strength and resources to give life to a wondrous activity of service to the most in need.

The last months of the Blessed’s life were marked by illness, which she faced with serenity and complete abandonment in the arms of the Lord. On March 13th, 1992, Sister Dulce died in São Salvador da Bahia, with a strong reputation for sanctity. On April 3rd, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI recognized the heroics of her virtues and on May 22nd, 2011, the rite of her beatification was celebrated.

The Eucharistic celebration with the rite of canonization was inaugurated with songs. Then, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of All Saints, Angelo Becciu, asked the Pope to canonize the Blessed. Becciu will briefly present the profile of each of them.

The request is followed by “Litanie Sanctorum”, the oldest litany of the Catholic Church. The litany is a call to reminisce about our ancestors and to pray for their intercession. It lists a number of saints.

Next comes the “canonization formula”, a prayer by the Pope in Latin in which he will acknowledge the canonization of the five Blesseds. Cardinal Becciu thanks the Pontiff and asks permission to write an apostolic letter to prepare for the canonization. In the last stage of the rite, Francis offered new prayers and the liturgy.

Source: O Globo