“"Saint Joseph, help me to suffer, help me to endure, help me to forgive, help me to trust, help me to save."” (Father Eustace)

Father Eustáquio cultivated a special devotion to Saint Joseph throughout his life. He found in the figure of the carpenter from Nazareth help in his mission and hope for the afflicted.

In Poá, São Paulo, he distributed to those who sought him out a "little Saint Joseph's blessing," which consisted of a small piece of fabric touched to a relic of the Saint. He offered holy cards and medals of Jesus' adoptive father to anyone who asked him for prayers. When questioned about the cures obtained through his blessings, he always said: “"It is not I who perform the healings, it is God through the intercession of Saint Joseph!".

For the construction of the Sacred Hearts church in Belo Horizonte, Father Eustáquio turned to the spouse of Mary. In the sermon for the laying of the church's cornerstone, on May 16, 1943, he stated: “"Will there be a shortage of lime, a shortage of cement? We will go to Saint Joseph, understanding that, from the first stone, the protection of Saint Joseph is committed here, so that this stone may multiply into as many as are needed to complete the temple."”

The church's design included a chapel in honor of the saint who always interceded with God for the works of Father Eustáquio. In his letters, he always ended by asking for the help of Saint Joseph: “"Pray an Our Father and a Hail Mary every day to Saint Joseph, and from here I will not forget you all. May Saint Joseph protect and guide you!"” (excerpt from Father Eustáquio's letter to Mrs. Etelvina, dated October 31, 1941).

In his final days, while hospitalized, he would beat his chest and cry out: “"Saint Joseph, Health and Peace!". May the spiritual legacy of Father Eustáquio inspire us in living our faith and following Jesus.