On March 29th, a Mass was celebrated in the chapel of the International College of Rome, in thanksgiving for the recognition of the heroic virtues of the Argentine Venerable Cardinal Eduardo Pironio.
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, presided over the Eucharistic celebration. Also present was Mons. Fernando Vérgez, who was Secretary to Cardinal Pironio. Mons. Vérgez is President of the Governatorate of Vatican City. Concelebrants also included Mons. Brian Farrell, Mons. Renato Boccardo, P. John Connor, and some priests from the communities of Rome.
“Many people join the ceremony spiritually, from the different places where Cardinal Pironio lived and worked, in the beloved land of Argentina, where he was baptized, became a priest, professor, and later bishop; and in Latin America, of which he was first secretary and then president of the episcopate (CELAM). Also from Italy, the homeland of his family, in Rome and the Vatican with the various dicasteries he presided over under the holy pontiffs Paul VI and John Paul II, as well as the suburban diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto,” said Cardinal Sandri.
“The friendship of dear Cardinal Pironio with God for men was consummated and purified also through the altar of the Cross and suffering, lived with dignity and without wanting to stop meeting the people close to him, as many of us experienced. With fraternal trust, with that childlike spirit of his First Communion, he affirmed in his spiritual testament: ‘I thank the Lord for the privilege of the cross. I feel very happy to have suffered so much. I only regret not having suffered well and not always savoring my cross in silence. I wish that, at least now, my cross begins to be bright and fruitful.’ What the Church has recognized in recent years, and awaiting the recognition of a miracle that could lead to the beatification of the Venerable Eduardo, is the sign that this cross has indeed been confirmed as luminous and fruitful,” added Cardinal Leonardo Sandri.
On February 6, 1978, Cardinal Pironio left the following message in the visitors’ book of distinguished persons at the Rome College of the Legion of Christ:
“If the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (Jn. 12:24). Thus the Church is born in the heart of Jesus’ Paschal Cross. It is the only way to reach the Father in the Spirit. The only way to be happy and fruitful. The only way to serve the brothers in the deep communication of Jesus Christ. I sincerely wish this for the dear Legionaries of Christ. And I ask the Virgin Fiel to always make them “joyful in hope, strong in tribulation, persevering in prayer” (Rom. 12:12).I bless you in Christ and Mary Most Holy.6-II-78E. Card. Pironio
Cardinal Eduardo Francisco Pironio: a kind and welcoming pastor
Cardinal Eduardo Pironio was born on December 3, 1920, in Nueve de Julio, Argentina. Of Italian immigrant family, he died in Rome on February 5, 1998. A person of great human qualities and deep spirituality, it was his mother who transmitted to him, through constant prayer, a strong faith, which was later strengthened through study, reading, and meditation. His personality was characterized by hope and joy, linked to the Marian spirituality of the Magnificat. His mediating capacity was the result of trust in Providence. He was a key figure during the work of the Latin American Episcopal Conference in Medellín, Colombia, in 1968.
Ordained a priest on December 5, 1943, he held various roles in his country. In 1962, he participated as an observer in the inaugural session of the Second Vatican Council; the following year, he was named among the “experts.” Ordained a bishop on May 31, 1964, he served in several dioceses. He was leading the Diocese of Mar del Plata when, in 1974, Paul VI invited him to preach the Spiritual Exercises to the Roman Curia. The same Pontiff created him a cardinal on May 24, 1976. John Paul II confirmed him as Prefect of the Dicastery for Religious, especially committed to fostering and supporting the conciliar renewal of religious life.
From 1984 onward, as president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, he chose three priorities: formation, communion, and participation. He committed himself, in harmony with Pope Wojtyla, to the promotion and discernment of new Ecclesial Movements. He had a special concern for youth and was one of the initiators of World Youth Days. The last years of his life were marked by illness; he bore increasing suffering with confident hope, offering it, as he himself wrote: “for the Church, priests, consecrated life, laity, the Pope, the redemption of the world.”
Bibliography with writings of Cardinal Eduardo Pironio
Due to interest, we list below a selection of books containing writings and reflections by Cardinal Eduardo Pironio:
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