Why does Blessed Francisco Gárate continue to have a large number of supporters and devotees in the most remote places despite the fact that 32 years have passed since his beatification on 5 October 1985?
Several explanations can be put forward. It is thought that in these complex times, Francisco Gárate's simplicity, kindness, smile, honesty, attitude of service and selflessness lead us to think of the possibility of a more humane society where certain values, perhaps forgotten or undervalued, can flourish once again.
Francisco Gárate with his open arms, his tolerance, his affection for the most needy gives us new reasons to give our society a greater spirit of coexistence, of dialogue. Francisco Gárate, without ever having undertaken great works, without ever having stood out for his interventions in public opinion, demonstrates that true Christian holiness, lived in a normal existence, can be within the reach of any man or woman who believes in the values of the Gospel.
We are not content with the fact that Francisco Gárate has been proclaimed Blessed. We wish that his example and veneration be extended to the universal church, at the highest level, proclaiming him a saint. To this end, we intend to continue to ask for his intercession in our daily lives, in all kinds of needs, and we hope that one day we will be able to count on some extraordinary event that will be the definitive sign to proclaim him a saint. In any case, through his intercession in particularly difficult situations or in the small events of our daily lives, we believe that Blessed Francisco Gárate can stimulate us to live our Christian faith ever better.
