On October 20th, the Catholic Church beatified "the apostle of the city", Father Tiburcio Arnaiz Muñoz SJ. Presiding over the beatification ceremony at Malaga’s cathedral was Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Among the 100+ priests concelebrating there were Pascual Cebollada, General Postulator of the Society of Jesus; Fr Provincial, Antonio España; Fr Fernando Motas, Jesuit Superior of Málaga community; Fr Vicente Luque, Vice Postulator of the cause and Postulator during the diocesan phase and Fr Elías Royón, Episcopal Vicar for Consecrated Life of the Archdiocese of Madrid.

In his homily, Cardinal Angelo Becciu highlighted:

“Dear brothers and sisters, what is the message that Blessed Tiburcio Arnáiz Muñoz offers to today’s Church and society at large? He represents for all of us, especially for priests and consecrated persons, the example of a man who was not satisfied with what had already been achieved but who, in obedience to the demands of the spirit, intended to surrender himself to God with greater radicalism. This was at the origin of his decision to enter the Society of Jesus after twelve years of diocesan ministry. He responded to God’s love through a growing commitment to his ministry and love for the least, the rejected. How great a need there is, in our times, to open our hearts to the spiritual and material needs of so many of our brothers and sisters who expect from us words of faith, consolation, and hope, as well as gestures of generous solidarity and a warm welcome!”

The cause of beatification was promoted by the Association of Missionaries of Rural Doctrines, founded by Fr Arnaiz, whose feast will be celebrated on July 18. He lies buried in the Jesuit church of the Sacred Heart in Malaga.

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