Father Vinicius Maciel, SSCC, Rector of the Health and Peace Sanctuary and vice-postulator of the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Father Eustáquio, reflects on 2021 and speaks about expectations for 2022. See the Q&A below:

Was 2021 a year of many challenges for the church?

Yes. The second year of the pandemic. New challenges to invent creative forms of evangelization. The challenge of accompanying families impoverished by rising unemployment and declining purchasing power. The challenge of not being able to be present at crucial moments, such as with the sick at home or in hospitals. The hopelessness and exhaustion of children and young people. The loneliness of the elderly and the increased difficulties in relationships within confined families. Finally, the impossibility of celebrating mourning and recognizing loved ones buried without a wake or with a very restricted one.

What are the main achievements of the vice-presidential candidacy?

To discuss our achievements, I believe it helps to present our goals over the past few years. We have worked towards consolidating and deepening devotion, as well as expanding it through witness and knowledge of the life and charism of Blessed Eustace. New churches dedicated to Blessed Father Eustace are being built, and new communities are emerging. Amidst the pandemic, the main focus was the establishment of a professional communications team that ensured the growth of social media, the printed newsletter, and the Padre Eustace YouTube channel, which surpassed 10,000 followers in one year.

This year you were appointed Rector of the Archdiocesan Sanctuary of Health and Peace. How did you receive this news?

With great hope and responsibility. As a great challenge due to economic and financial difficulties. As a devotee of Blessed Eustace, also with great joy. In a word: emotion, to assume the Parish where my parents were married more than 60 years ago.

What challenges does this appointment entail?

Reuniting and building the post-pandemic community together. Balancing the various services I am responsible for, such as the three Social Action Daycare Centers, the Store and the communications team for promoting the Canonization cause, the research, restoration and implementation team for the Padre Eustaquio Museum, and the mission of outreach and dialogue with devotees throughout Brazil.

What are the expectations for 2022, both in relation to the Sanctuary and in relation to the vice-postulation?

We are immersed in the centenary of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte. 2022 marks 80 years since the beginning of this journey with the arrival of Father Eustáquio in 1942. In line with Pope Francis's call to be an open, listening, and outward-looking church, combining parish life with a welcoming sanctuary committed to the mission of being a living presence of the charism and spirituality of Blessed Father Eustáquio: the Gospel of Health and Peace.

Father Vinícius Maciel, SSCC, was appointed Rector of the Archdiocesan Sanctuary of Health and Peace on July 27th of this year.
He has been the vice-postulator of the Cause for Canonization of Blessed Father Eustáquio since December 2008 and is in charge of the process, representing the cause in Brazil.