Asunción (Paraguay), 07/02/2018, Sr. Adelaida Alba.- The World Cup of Faith was experienced on June 23, 2018 at the Stadium General Pablo Rojas, in the city of Asuncion – Paraguay. There were over 75,000 Catholics to live the ceremony of Beatification of María de Jesús Sacramentado “Chiquitunga”, thus awakening the faith and love of Paraguayans gathered there from very early hours; one could see the joy in the faces of children, the young and the adults patiently waiting to be allowed in for the celebration.
Pope Francis’ Delegate to preside at this historic celebration was Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation of the Cause of Saints, who read the Apostolic Letter of Beatification in Latin, while Msgr. Edmundo Valenzuela, Archbishop of Asuncion, did the same in Spanish, at the same time that the image of Blessed María Felicia was slowly unveiled and all those present rose with a long emotional applaud. This altar piece was a creation of the artist Koki Ruiz using over 70,000 rosaries donated by her devotees. It is surprising to see each detail and the perfection of the face of María Felicia.
The Diocese of Carapeguá was present with its delegations, the Parish of Caapucú participated with a group of 71 faithful, mostly young, accompanied by the Sisters of the Presentation who work in the area.
The ceremony concluded with the special blessing of Cardinal Angelo Amato and the prolonged ringing of the bells. On their return home, everyone expressed their happiness experienced at the stadium for the first Blessed young woman from Paraguay. As they say, “it a reason to be proud of because it is a witness to today’s youth”.
