During these days (22 to 25 April 2014) we receive the visit of our brother Mgr. Luiz Mancilha, Archbishop of Vitória do Espírito Santo (Brazil), and Fr. Hiller Stefanon, a priest of the same archdiocese. The main intention of his visit to Rome is to attend the Thanksgiving Mass for the recent canonization of José Anchieta sj, decreed by Pope Francis on April 2, 2014.
José Anchieta SJ (1534 - San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife Island - 1597 Anchieta, Espírito Santo) was one of the first evangelists of Brazil. He lived for a few years in Vitória and died in the region, at Reritiba – today called Anchieta. He traveled throughout the region evangelizing the indigenous peoples. He founded a college (Saint Jacques), wrote books of catechesis, grammars and dictionaries to be used by the missionaries.
Pope Francis celebrates the Thanksgiving Mass for the testimony of this talented evangelist of Brazil, at the church of Saint Ignatius on Thursday, April 24, at 18:00. On the picture you can see Mgr. Luiz Mancilha with Fr. Hiller Stefanon before going to attend the Thanksgiving Mass.
Luiz has been the Archbishop of Vitória do Espírito Santo since December 3, 2002.
04/24/2014