The pilgrimage of people to the tomb of Father Eustáquio and, subsequently, to the space built in the then-new Matriz church, gave substance to what many said: "I received a grace through the intercession of Father Eustáquio!" In this sense, in 1953, the desire arose to open a Canonization Process.

It was there, 65 years ago, exactly on February 5, 1956, that Father Alfredo Elfrink, sscc, was appointed the first vice-postulator of the Cause of Beatification/Canonization of Father Eustáquio. Fr. Alfredo, who was born on March 5, 1909, in Zwolle, Netherlands, was largely responsible for gathering the first accounts of graces received and documents proving to the Holy See that Father Eustáquio was worthy of being recognized as a Servant of God (the first part of the process).

Six years later, ecclesiastical authorities of the time established the Ecclesiastical Tribunal and gathered all the required documentation.

Father Alfredo (right) with JK at the moment when the former president's testimony was being written by the politician himself.

Father Alfredo manages to go to the office of former president Juscelino Kubitschek, who writes to the proceedings, reporting two graces received by him and his family through the blessing of Father Eustáquio, in mid-1943, when JK was mayor of Belo Horizonte.Learn more about this case here.).

In 1966, Father Alfredo, largely responsible for the initial years of the Canonization process, traveled to Rome with all the documentation that would lead to the process being opened in the Vatican, indicating that Father Eustáquio should be recognized as a Servant of God.

Father Alfredo Elfrink, ss.cc., remained as vice-postulator until 1974 when he returned to his country of origin. Elfrink died on August 22, 1991, in Bavel, Netherlands.