Religious celebrations, a walk, themed meetings, and a grand festival on August 30th mark the special program for the month of Blessed Father Eustace, a religious figure known as the Missionary of Health and Peace.

The Archdiocesan Sanctuary of Health and Peace, in Belo Horizonte, is preparing, in partnership with the Vice-Postulation of the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Father Eustáquio, a special program to celebrate the Blessed Father's day. This year, the traditional celebration will take place throughout the month of August, bringing together moments of spirituality, prayer, formation, fellowship, and devotion to the one who became one of the best-known religious figures in Brazil.

Celebrating the theme of the 20th anniversary of the Beatification of Father Eustáquio and inspired by Cardinal Dom Serafim's phrase: "A whirlwind of God that no one can stop," the program invites the faithful to learn more deeply about the spirituality, mission, and virtues of Blessed Father Eustáquio, whose life continues to inspire thousands of people in their search for faith, hope, and peace.

The official opening will take place on July 30th, with a Mass for the sending forth of pastoral groups and movements, followed by a moment of adoration. Throughout August, the Sanctuary will host events aimed at different audiences, such as youth, children, senior citizens, and couples, in addition to the return of the Walk for Health and Peace, which symbolically retraces the daily path taken by Blessed Father Eustáquio in Belo Horizonte.

Between August 21st and 29th, a Novena will be held in preparation for the Feast, reflecting daily on a prominent virtue in the life of the Blessed, such as faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, culminating in the celebration of the Eucharist. During the novena, there will also be special blessings dedicated to various groups in society, such as healthcare professionals, educators, public safety personnel, merchants, workers, drivers, families, young people, and religious.

The program will conclude on Sunday, August 30th, the liturgical day dedicated to Blessed Father Eustace. Throughout the day there will be masses, a procession through the streets of the neighborhood, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, rosaries, food stalls, and various activities to welcome the thousands of pilgrims who traditionally visit the Sanctuary to give thanks for graces received and to ask for the intercession of the Blessed.

In the coming days, we will release all the details of the program. The preparation, the events, the attendees, and all the information about August 30th, the main event of the jubilee celebrations.

If you live outside of Belo Horizonte, you can follow the schedule through... Father Eustáquio's Channel, on YouTube.

SCHEDULE

• July 30th (Thursday)

7 PM – Sending-off Mass for pastoral groups and movements, followed by adoration.

• Mission: Health and Peace

August 2nd (Sunday), 5 PM – Meeting with the Youth

August 8th (Saturday), 9am – Meeting with the Children

August 13th (Thursday), 3 PM – Meeting with Senior Citizens

August 18 (Tuesday), 7:30 PM – Meeting with Couples

• August 15th (Saturday) – Feast of Our Lady of the Abbey

7am – Mass

4:15 PM – Office of Our Lady

5 PM – Mass followed by a procession.

• August 19th (Wednesday)

3 PM – Mass with the Anointing of the Sick.

• August 20th (Thursday)

7 PM – Sending-off Mass for the volunteers, followed by adoration.

• August 21st to 29th

Novena in preparation for the Feast of Blessed Father Eustace, with masses, rosaries, special blessings and daily reflections on the virtues lived by the Blessed.

• August 23 (Sunday)

9am – 3rd Health and Peace Walk, meeting point at the Sanctuary Square.

• August 30th (Sunday)

The Feast of Blessed Father Eustace, with masses throughout the day, a procession, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, rosary, and food stalls.