Beatification of the Venerable Father Leo Dehon, SCJ,
Founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart

A letter from Fr. José Ornelas Carvalho, SCJ,

To: Members of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart
Members of the Dehonian Family
Fellow-workers and friends of the Work of Father Dehon

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the climate of Easter, which we are presently enjoying, I have the great joy of notifying you that this morning in the presence of the Holy Father, John Paul II, the proclamation of the Decree on the Miracle that opens the door for the Beatification of the Venerable Father Leo Dehon, Founder of the Congregation of the Priests of the Heart of Jesus, was solemnly promulgated.

Without a doubt, this is a moment of great rejoicing and thanksgiving for the entire Congregation, for the members of the SCJ Family, and for all those friends and co-workers in the effort begun by Father Dehon.

The General Administration of the Congregation hopes to be able to submit a reflection on the meaning and challenge that this Beatification bring us. For now, I hope our joy is transformed into a commitment that would lead to a greater deepening and a more concrete appreciation of the person and witness of Father Dehon.

We hope that the date of Beatification of Father Dehon will take place in March or April 2005; the actual date should be established in November 2004.

Joyfully and fraternally in the Sacred Heart,

Father José Ornelas Carvalho, SCJ
Superior General
Rome, April 19, 2004

Reading of the Decree of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints

Reading of the Decrees

On April 19 morning, at Sala Clementina, in the presence of the Holy Father John Paul II, the members of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints and the postulators of the different causes, fifteen new decrees were promulgated. Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation, read a biographical outline of the Blesseds and Servants of God.

The Superior General, Father José Ornelas Carvalho, SCJ, with the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II

Among the new Blesseds was the Venerable Servant of God, John of the Sacred Heart, Leo Dehon, founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1843-1925). "He dedicated himself to the social and educational apostolates, giving life to several initiatives for which he endured many sacrifices," said the Cardinal, in his introduction of Fr. Dehon.

The General Postulator, Father Evaristo Martínez de Alegría, SCJ, with the Pope