Deacon’s Canonization Cause Advances

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A permanent deacon from Brazil made a significant step toward canonization June 20, when Pope Leo XIV signed a decree formally recognizing Deacon João Luiz Pozzobon’s life of heroic virtue.  

João Luiz Pozzobon was born in 1904 in southern Brazil, where he married, opened a small shop and raised seven children.

In his 40s, he became a devoted member of the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt and initiated a campaign to encourage devotion to Our Lady. Pozzobon personally carried an image of Our Lady to thousands of homes, schools, hospitals and prisons, traveling more than 87,000 miles over the course of 35 years. His work continues today through Schoenstatt’s international Pilgrim Mother Campaign.

Pozzobon was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Santa Maria in 1972 and died in 1985 after being struck by a truck on his way to Mass. 

With approval of the decree of heroic virtue from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Deacon Pozzobon received the title of “Venerable.”