Father Cícero has his name included in the Book of Heroes of the Fatherland

Father Cícero or Padim Ciço, as he is known in the region, had his name included in the Book of Heroes and Heroines of the Fatherland this Wednesday (11). The proposal was approved in both legislative houses and sanctioned by President Lula. Now, the name of the priest, who is in the process of beatification, will be written in the “steel book” that is kept in the Tancredo Neves Pantheon of the Fatherland and Freedom. The monument is located in Praça dos Três Poderes, in Brasília.

The bill was presented by federal deputy José Guimarães (PT-CE). In the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies, it included the report of deputy Jandira Feghali (PcdoB-RJ) and the approval opinion of Cid Gomes (PDT-CE) in the Senate.

Regulated by law, the book Heroes of the Fatherland is a title given to Brazilians who played a relevant role in the country’s history. The book has names from different areas: political, cultural, religious, sports. Machado de Assis, José Bonifácio de Andrada, Leonel Brizola, Padre José Anchieta are some of the almost 70 names that make up the book.

Father Cícero was recognized for his pastoral work and involvement in political causes

Father Cícero was born in the municipality of Crato, Ceará, in 1844, but it was in Juazeiro do Norte where he gained recognition for his pastoral work and involvement in political causes. There, he renovated the chapel of Nossa Senhora das Dores, patron saint of the city.

At the age of 90 he passed away and, after his death, devotion to the vicar grew. In 1969, a statue of the priest was erected in Juazeiro in honor of the religious. Every year, on All Souls’ Day, countless pilgrims leave their homes to visit Padre Cícero’s tomb.