Beatification of Fr Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan
The events presented here have now passed, the information remains for the record. Included below is a link to on-demand video for the Rite of Beatification.
The Beatification ceremony of the Salvatorian founder, the Venerable Fr Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan will take place on Saturday, 15 May 2021 at the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome.
The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Vica General of His Holiness. The Cardinal serves as the de facto bishop of Rome residing in the Lateran Palace which adjoins the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran.
This event is welcomed joyously by the global Salvatorian community even though the pandemic and associated restrictions have limited celebrations and made it impossible for many to attend events in Rome.
Further information on the Beatification of Francis Jordan (PDF 211.4KB)
Prayer for the Intercession of Blessed Francis Jordan (PDF 71.6KB)
Rite of Beatification
The Rite of Beatification is scheduled at the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran Rome at 6:30pm, Saturday, 15 May 2021.
Mass of Thanksgiving
A Mass of thanksgiving for the new Blessed Francis Jordan is scheduled at St Peter's Basilica Rome at 11pm, Sunday, 16 May 2021.
All times are Sydney local time.
Online Broadcast
Both the Beatification and the following Mass of thanksgiving were presented live from the Telepace News Catholic TV channel Italy.
The Beatification ceremony with Cardinal Angelo De Donatis at the Archbasilica of St John Lateran Rome is available on-demand from the Youtube EWTN Catholic TV channel (Germany) at the link below.
Youtube
Background
Fr Jordan’s path to beatification began in 1943 when documentation of his life and works was sent to the Vatican.
John Baptist Jordan was born on 16 June 1848, in Gurtweil, Germany, a small town in the Black Forest area. He traveled throughout his homeland for work as a laborer and painter-decorator. In his travels, Jordan saw how government constraints on the Church – known as the Kulturkampf – discouraged people from practicing their faith. It only strengthened Jordan’s faith, however, and on 21 July 1878, he was ordained to the priesthood in Freiburg, Germany. As Fr Jordan pondered how to combat the growing void in spirituality and religion, he sensed something more for his future. In September 1880, he met with Pope Leo XIII and outlined his vision to establish a society devoted to teaching of the faith. The Pope gave Jordan his blessing to proceed.
On 8 December 1881, Fr Jordan and two others professed private vows as members of the Apostolic Teaching Society. Soon, Therese Von Wüllenweber joined them. The new foundation grew in members and sent missionaries around the globe. Together with Fr Jordan, Therese would co-found the Sisters of the Divine Savior and lead the congregation as Mother Mary of the Apostles for 19 years.
For the times, Fr Jordan’s vision was bold: men and women, religious and lay, working together as equals to bring the Gospel of the Savior to all people everywhere. Today, more than 2,000 priests, sisters, brothers and lay women and men carry out that mission in a variety of ministries on six continents. They are known as the three branches of the Salvatorian Family: the Society of the Divine Savior; the Sisters of the Divine Savior; and the International Community of the Divine Savior, or Lay Salvatorians.
Fr Francis Jordan died in Tafers, Switzerland on 8 September 1918, and was buried in the local church. In 1956, his body was moved to Rome and entombed in a special chapel in the Society Motherhouse. On 19 March 1999, Pope John Paul II visited there and prayed at Fr Jordan’s tomb. On 19 June 2020, Pope Francis declared the authenticity of a miracle through the intercession of Fr Jordan. It was the final step on his path to beatification, and on 15 May 2021, we will call him Blessed.
Further information on the Society of the Divine Saviour