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Feast Day: May 6
Birth: July 3, 1813
Death: May 6, 1881
Blessed Jacinto Vera Y Durán, also known as Jacinto Vera, was born on 3 July 1813 aboard a ship on the Atlantic Ocean off Ilha de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil. He hailed from a humble farming family and spent his youth working in the fields alongside his family members.
At the age of 19, Jacinto Vera discerned a calling to the priesthood and began his studies in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After years of dedicated study, he was ordained as a priest on 5 June 1841, embarking on a lifelong journey of service to the Church.
On 4 October 1859, Jacinto Vera was appointed as the Vicar Apostolic of Montevideo, Uruguay, a significant role in the spread of Catholicism in the region. Later, on 22 September 1864, he was consecrated as the Titular Bishop of Megara.
An influential figure in the Catholic Church, Jacinto Vera participated in the First Vatican Council in 1870. His commitment to the faith and his pastoral work led to his appointment as the first bishop of Montevideo on 15 July 1878. Throughout his tenure as bishop, he actively engaged in parish ministry, dedicating himself to the spiritual well-being of his diocese.
Tragically, Blessed Jacinto Vera passed away on 6 May 1881 while preaching a parish mission in Montevideo. His life and ministry were characterized by selflessness and devotion to his faith, leaving a lasting impact on the Catholic community in Uruguay.
Recognizing his exemplary virtues, Pope Francis declared Jacinto Vera venerable on 5 May 2015. Furthermore, on 6 May 2023, in a beatification ceremony presided by Cardinal Paulo Cezar Costa, Pope Francis officially beatified Jacinto Vera in Montevideo, Uruguay. The beatification miracle attributed to his intercession involved the miraculous healing of a girl in her mid-teens on 8 October 1936. Afflicted by "appendicitis, retroperiteneal pelvic abscess, sepsis," and a life-threatening fever, the young girl was restored to health through the intervention of Blessed Jacinto.
Blessed Jacinto Vera Y Durán's life is celebrated on his feast day, which falls on 6 May each year. His journey from a farming family to becoming a revered and influential figure in the Church serves as an inspiration for devotees and a testament to the power of faith and dedication.