June 4, 2011. (Romereports.com) On June 5, Cardinal Angelo Amato will beatify Juan de Palafox in El Burgo de Osma, Soria, Spain. Palafox was a statesman and priest who was born in the year 1600 in Navarre, Spain. His parents abandoned him at birth, but thanks to his
self-determination and intelligence he became viceroy of Mexico.


P. Ildefonso Moriones
Postulator
"Before becoming an ordained priest, he was a  fiscal counselor of war. Once he became a priest he asked the King to remove him from that council, which always dealt with violence. Instead he wanted to serve in a job that was more peaceful. He was assigned to work with the Indian Concil. There he would monitor all missions in America, defending the rights of the Indians and serving the needs of dioceses that were somewhat far.”

In Mexico, he would spend six months with the diocese and another six months working in   matters of the royal kingdom. During that time, the future viceroy improved the economy and brought seemingly forgotten cases to trial.  As  a bishop he united several priests, improved their training and completed the construction of the cathedral.

He died in El Burgo de Osma in 1653. Thirteen years later, when his beatification process began, his body was incorrupt.

On February 26, 2009 the Vatican recognized the miraculous healing of a priest, who was cured through the intercession of Juan de Palafox. On February 8th, 2010, pope Benedict XVI, approved his beatification.


BR/KLH