The Mass which was celebrated in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in the Almagro district, was preceded by a procession with the statue of Blessed Ceferino which started from the “San Francis of Sales”, Salesian Institute and passed by the Pius IX Institute where the “lily of Patagonia” studied between 1897 and 1902 and ended at the parish church.
In his homily, Cardinal Bergoglio exhorted the faithful to follow the example of the first native Argentinian Blessed, and quoting the words of the young Mapuche, he encouraged them to be at the service of the people rather than being served by the people.
Describing the beatification of Ceferino as “the fruit of the dreams and the work of Saint John Bosco”, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires emphasised that he represented for Christians “a way of life.”
The Sunday celebration was preceded by other events and activities. On 16 November Bishop Juan Guillermo Durán, gave an account of the life of Ceferino Namuncurà in the church in Hipólito Yrigoyen 4000, which was followed by a concert by a choir conducted by Pablo Bianchi.
On Saturday 17 November, the students of the Salesian Institutes in the area of Almagro took part in the “Ceferinian Olympics”; on the programme there was also a marathon which starting from the entrance of the Pius IX Institute, went to the cross roads between Don Bosco and Yapeyú streets.
Published 21/11/2007