June 15th marks the 15th anniversary of the Beatification of Father Eustáquio. After a long process that began in 1956, the Dutch priest was inscribed by the Holy See on the list of the Blessed.

The philosopher and scholar of religion, Leandro Castro, prepared a timeline detailing the entire process, explaining each step. See below:

History of the Beatification Process of Father Eustáquio

August 30, 1943 – Death of Father Eustáquio.

August 31, 1943 – The mortal remains of Father Eustáquio are taken to the Bonfim Cemetery. His tomb becomes a place of prayer and devotion.

January 31, 1949 – Transfer of the mortal remains of Father Eustáquio to the mortuary chapel, at the entrance of the Sacred Hearts Parish Church, begun by the Blessed himself and now known as the Church of Father Eustáquio.

February 5, 1956 – Beginning of the preliminary work for the establishment of the Canonical Process for the Canonization of Father Eustáquio. Father Alfredo Elfrink assumes the role of Vice-Postulator.

June 21, 1962 – Publication of the notice announcing the start of the process.

August 22, 1962 – Installation of the “Special Tribunal for the Instruction of the Cause of Beatification of Father Eustáquio”. On the initiative and under the presidency of Dom João de Resende Costa, then Coadjutor Archbishop and Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte. In addition to Belo Horizonte, tribunals were established in the following dioceses: Rio de Janeiro; Uberaba, São Paulo, Florianópolis and S-Hertogenbosch, in the Netherlands.

September 3, 1964 – Completion of the “Writings” process. Transcription and sending of a copy of all of Father Eustace's writings to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

November 19, 1964 – Decree of Public Ecclesiastical Worship.

August 23, 1966 – Canonical conclusion of the process for the beatification and canonization of Father Eustáquio, under the responsibility of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte.

From 1970 to 1979 – By decision of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, through the authority of its General Chapter, the processes of beatification and canonization of Father Eustáquio and other venerable members of the same congregation have been temporarily suspended.

1980 – At the insistence of Dom João de Resende Costa and at the request of several Brazilian bishops representing the wishes of the faithful, the general chapter of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts decided to resume the work on the Canonical Process for the Beatification of Father Eustáquio.

March 19, 1983 – Reopening of the Canonization Process.

March 19, 1983 The process is accepted by the Vatican – Father Eustáquio is recognized as a Servant of God.

November 12, 1997 – In the Ecclesiastical Court of Belo Horizonte, proceedings have begun to analyze a possible miracle obtained through the intercession of Father Eustáquio.

January 17, 1998 – Conclusion of the miracle analysis process and submission to Rome.

April 12, 2003 Pope John Paul II approves and officially publishes the Decree on the heroic virtues of Father Eustace in Rome. The Servant of God becomes Venerable Father Eustace.

December 19, 2005 Pope Benedict XVI authorizes the publication of the Decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Father Eustáquio. Father Gonçalo Belém is cured of throat cancer.

June 15, 2006 – Father Eustáquio is beatified. The heroic virtues of the Blessed in following Jesus and serving the most needy are recognized.