Libério Rodrigues Moreira

After ten years of study, Libério Rodrigues Moreira was ordained a priest on April 25, 1916, by the Archbishop of Mariana, Mgr Silvério Gomes Pimenta. He celebrated his first mass in Mateus Leme. He began his ministry as vicar at the parish of Nossa Senhora do Pilar in Pitangui, where he also taught religion at school and actively participated in the reconstruction of the parish church, which had been destroyed by a fire in 1914. In 1923, he was appointed parish priest of Pequi, then in 1932, he was transferred to São José da Varginha, where he revived parish life and undertook the construction of a new church. In 1939, he was sent to Nova Serrana, where he remained for six years. In 1945, he became parish priest of the São Sebastião parish in Leandro Ferreira, a ministry he exercised until 1965. Wherever he went, Father Libério distinguished himself by his pastoral zeal, his simplicity of life, and his total dedication to the poor and the sick, whom he assisted both materially and spiritually. In 1965, at the age of 81 and weakened by illness, he was relieved of his official duties by the Bishop of Divinópolis, Mgr Cristiano Portela de Araújo Pena, and welcomed in Pará de Minas. He spent fifteen years there, continuing to make himself useful to the faithful through prayer and spiritual counsel. He spent the last months of his life at the 'Vila Vicentina' retirement home in Divinópolis. He passed away on December 21, 1980, at the São João de Deus hospital in Divinópolis, at the age of 96.

The reputation for holiness of Father Libério, already very strong during his lifetime, continued to grow after his death. The faithful of the Central-West region of Minas Gerais attribute numerous graces and healings to him. Faced with this popular fervor, the Diocese of Divinópolis decided to open an inquiry for his beatification. The diocesan phase of the beatification process was officially opened on July 30, 2012. As part of this procedure, an exhumation and canonical recognition of his mortal remains took place in March 2016. On March 12, 2016, his relics were solemnly transferred to the mother church of São Sebastião in Leandro Ferreira, in the presence of thousands of the faithful. The diocesan inquiry was officially closed on November 13, 2016, during a ceremony at the Cathedral of Divinópolis, and the documents were sent to Rome.

On February 16, 2018, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued the decree of legal validity for the diocesan inquiry. The Positio, a summary document on his life and virtues, was examined by the Congress of Theological Consultors on September 27, 2022, and then by the ordinary session of cardinals and bishops on March 5, 2024. On March 14, 2024, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thereby conferring upon him the title of Venerable. For his beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is now required.

The spirituality of the Venerable Libério Rodrigues Moreira is characterized by a profound humility, an ardent love for the Eucharist, and an unwavering trust in Divine Providence. Affectionately nicknamed "Padre Libério," he lived in voluntary destitution, refusing all comfort to dedicate himself entirely to the service of God and the most destitute. His legacy remains extremely vibrant in the state of Minas Gerais. His tomb, located in the church of Leandro Ferreira, has become an important place of pilgrimage and popular devotion. Each year, around June 30 (the day of his birth), thousands of pilgrims participate in the traditional "Cavalgada da Fé" (Cavalcade of Faith) and the "Caminhada da Fé" (Walk of Faith) connecting Bom Despacho to Leandro Ferreira. Furthermore, the municipality of Pará de Minas has officially instituted June 30 as the "Dia de Padre Libério" (Father Libério Day) to honor his memory.