Led by Father Vinícius Maciel, ss.cc., the team from the National Secretariat for the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Father Eustáquio visited the Gilmara Iris Daycare Center, run by the Padre Giussani Educational Works. During the visit, the group witnessed the crowning ceremony performed by the children and the tribute paid to the mothers of the children attending the daycare center.

The team, comprised of the administrative, shop, and communications managers, was warmly welcomed by Father Messias, Virginia, the school supervisor, and Mateus Maciel, from the communications department of the Social Works. They joined in the tribute, which included the participation of the older children, aged 5 and 6, who will be leaving the daycare at the end of the year due to their age.

During the tribute, which can be seen here, The children sang songs in honor of Our Lady and mothers, including some with lyrics in Italian. At the end of the presentation, the daycare staff displayed photos sent by the mothers on a screen, while the little ones handed out a flower they had planted as a gift to their mothers.

Father Giussani Educational Works

Founded in 1978, the Padre Giussani Educational Works is a group of 6 non-profit institutions that are part of a social support network, serving approximately 1,200 children, adolescents, and their families in the northern region of Belo Horizonte. Our mission is to provide shelter and education, helping adults and children to look at themselves and at reality, and to bring to light who they are in their true nature. Our mission is to help families become protagonists in their children's education and to educate children about the beauty of life! Our method is based on looking at the person, and all activities are developed through meetings with children, adolescents, families, staff, and everyone who participates in the educational environment.

The partnership between the institutions (Sanctuary of Health and Peace/Father Eustáquio Social Action and the Father Giussani Educational Works) arose in January of this year, when part of the donations of clothing, food and cleaning products received by the Father Eustáquio Church were destined for the families of children affected by the rains in the region where the daycare centers are located.