Print Issue: August 1, 2002

The Simple Life of Saint Francis of the Americas

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today the Church Universal rejoices, as our Holy Father John Paul II raises to the rank of sainthood, the holy and venerable Franciscan priest, Pedro de San Jose Betancur. From the time of his ordination at the age of 21, in 1646, until his death in 1667, this champion of God's love, and the love of Jesus Christ and His Gospel, worked without ceasing among the poor and needy of Central America, especially in Cuba, Honduras and Guatemala. He organized work projects for the destitute, he founded hospitals for the seriously ill and mentally impaired, and he promoted many initiatives to educate those who could not read and write. He was also an author, leaving for our edification, many poems, letters, and works of Catholic piety and devotion. Above all, this saintly man worked, as Christ worked, to better the lives of all he encountered, while never forgetting or abandoning a simple style of life, which was modeled on that of the Lord, and which has gained Saint Pedro de San Jose Betancur, the affectionate title, "the Saint Francis of the Americas."

May his example serve to inspire the faithful here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, to renewed works of charity and compassion, both individual and communal. And may our prayers of praise and gratitude, rise to the throne of God, as we thank Him this day, for the blessing of this new saint, whom we ask now to intercede on our behalf, and on behalf of all who need the grace of Christ's love, and the charitable compassion which is the lesson of the Gospel and the hallmark of our Holy Church.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend John F. Donoghue
Archbishop of Atlanta