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The reason this Granada Roman Catholic beatification causes so much excitement is explained
A Granada Roman Catholic beatification is a rare thing. And it is happening in just four days from now.
Friar Leopoldo de Alpandeire is being beatified this Sunday 12th September 2010. This means that the Friar is one step closer to being made a saint.
And the thing that makes his beatification so rare and special is that such a short amount of time has passed since his death to his beatification. In fact there are still many people alive who knew him and spoke to him.
A Beatification is actually the third of four steps in being made a saint (cannonised). A full explanation of the process is given in steps to becoming a saint.
Friar Leopoldo's ceremony will be held at the Armilla Air Base. Armilla is a suburb of Granada city and the venue has been chosen because it can cater for the thousands of people who are expected to attend. However, since the process will be televised, it will also be possible to see what happens from the comfort of your own home or hotel room.
The importance of the event is reckoned to be equal to many of the special functions attended by the Royal Family.
Yet, Friar Leopoldo is a far cry from royalty.
Leopoldo Comes From a
Small and Normal Local Village
Leopoldo was born in Alpandeire, a village near Malaga, on the 24th June 1864. In 1899 after becoming a Capuchin Friar in Seville he soon moved to the Capuchin Monastery in Granada. From there he worked with the poor for the benefit of their physical and spiritual health.
Through his unremitting efforts Friar Leopoldo became one of the most recognised and popular Granadinos in the first half of the twentieth century. Details of Friar Leopoldo's biography shows why he was thought of so highly.
Leopoldo finally died in Granada on February 9th 1956, just 54 years ago. His remains are revered and visited each day by penitents from the four corners of the world and there are many blessings associated with his intercession towards being made a saint.
There is a monument raised in honour of this holy man in the Plaza de Elvira in Granada and in his honour, Friar Leopoldo de Alpandeire has been named "Favourite Son of Granada" by the Granada Town Council.
This weekend the Granada Roman Catholic beatification service has been eagerly waited by many.
Sunday 12th September is the day. But if you aren't able to attend, you will be able to join in the celebrations by getting one of the many available icons and statuettes of the holy Friar.
And maybe you will discover your own reasons to appreciate his beatification.
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