The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has informed us that the cause of beatification of the Servant of God João Luiz Pozzobon has been included in the agenda to be discussed by the theological consultors on March 4, 2025. This means that the Positio on the virtues, delivered last October, will begin to be examined and treated on that date by the commission of theologians appointed by the dicastery. This is another very important step towards the decree of the Venerable.
The theological consultors will analyze the nearly 800 pages attesting to the life, heroic virtues, and reputation for holiness of the Servant of God João Luiz Pozzobon and vote on the merits of the cause. Together with the Promoter of the Faith, they will study the process to examine and clarify all possible questions.
“It is possible that at this stage clarifications will be requested or documents will be completed,” explains the person in charge of the cause of beatification in Santa Maria (Brazil), Father Vitor Hugo Possetti.
After examining and voting on the merits of the cause, the theological consultors will forward their report and votes to a group of cardinals and bishops for their judgment. Finally, the case is taken to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for him to promulgate the decree on the heroic virtues, being he who has the authority to declare Deacon João Pozzobon venerable. This process follows the procedure established in the Apostolic Constitution Divinus Perfectionis Magister of John Paul II.
All are invited to join in prayer
“Therefore, we invite all those who feel a special affection for the life and mission of Deacon João Pozzobon, those who receive the Pilgrim Mother in their homes, the entire Schoenstatt Family, the deacons, the Church in the Archdiocese of Santa Maria and the whole world to intensify their prayers, rosaries, Masses and novenas, asking God to enlighten the study of the theologians who are part of the commission and asking God for the beatification of Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon,” encouraged Fr. Vitor.
In Santa Maria, where João Pozzobon initiated the Schoenstatt Pilgrim Mother apostolate, and in many other places where devotion to the Mother and Queen and the Servant of God is cultivated, the 27th day of every month has become a day of prayer for the Cause of Beatification, since the day of his death was June 27.
In Santa Maria, the Rosary is prayed every 27th at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Our Lady of Grace, where João Pozzobon is buried. From January 27, Holy Mass will be celebrated in Portuguese in the Original Shrine in Schoenstatt (Germany) for the intention of the cause of beatification.
Analyzing a possible miracle
“There is also the expectation that in the coming weeks, the opening of the process for the analysis and decree of juridical validity of the diocesan investigation of a possible miracle will be scheduled in Rome. There is still no confirmed date, but when there is news about it, we will inform everyone to remain united in prayer,” said the vice-postulator.
Send photos of your group
Is your group, parish, or shrine also praying for Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon’s beatification on the 27th? Please send photos to the cause’s Instagram profile so they can be disseminated there. The address is: instagram.com/joaoluizpozzobon
Translation: Sr. M. Lourdes Macías
