In a significant event for Mexico's Catholic community, the Rev. Moisés Lira has been beatified in a ceremony at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. This beatification marks a crucial step towards potential sainthood for Lira, who dedicated his life to charitable work and spiritual guidance in Mexico, the world's second-largest Catholic country by population.
Moisés Lira was born in September 1893 in Puebla, a state renowned for its colonial architecture and culinary traditions. Orphaned at a young age, Lira pursued his calling to priesthood, becoming the first novice of a congregation founded by French priest Félix de Jesús Rougier in 1914. After his ordination in 1922, Lira adopted the motto, "It is necessary to be very small to be a great saint," which guided his life's work.
Throughout his ministry, Lira focused on teaching catechism, caring for the ill, and providing spiritual guidance to vulnerable communities. In 1934, he founded the Missionaries of Charity of Mary Immaculate, a congregation that continues its work in Mexico and other countries today. Lira also established schools and psychiatric institutions, demonstrating his commitment to both education and healthcare.
The miracle attributed to Lira's intercession, which led to his beatification, occurred between May and June 2004. A pregnant woman from Guanajuato, facing a potentially fatal diagnosis for her unborn child, prayed to Lira for nine days. Subsequently, doctors found the fetus to be healthy, defying earlier prognoses. This event, recognized by the Catholic Church, highlights the importance of faith and intercession in Catholic theology.
"This is where the intercession of Father Moisés is very evident. And it shows how a miracle is produced by faith."
The beatification process for Lira began in 2015, with Pope Francis issuing a decree recognizing the miracle in 2023. This event not only honors Lira's legacy but also reinforces the Catholic Church's presence in Mexico, where it has played a significant role in the country's history and culture.
As a newly beatified figure, Lira is now considered a protector of life from conception, reflecting the nature of the miracle attributed to him. Catholics may also entrust him with causes related to health and education, areas in which Lira worked extensively during his lifetime.
Looking ahead, Catholic leaders hope for a second miracle that would pave the way for Lira's canonization. In the meantime, local parishes will commemorate him annually on June 15. The Archdiocese of Mexico, one of the largest in the world, has included Lira in its calendar of saints.
Relics of Lira, including a metacarpal bone from his right hand, will be distributed to significant parishes. These first-class relics, as they are known in Catholic tradition, serve as tangible connections to Lira's life and work.
The beatification of Moisés Lira adds to Mexico's rich tradition of Catholic saints and blesseds, including figures such as Juan Diego and Miguel Pro. As the canonization process continues, it reflects the ongoing importance of faith and miracles in the lives of Mexico's nearly 100 million Catholics.