This post at the Opinionated Catholic about the connections between the US Deep South and Saltillo, Mexico, reminded me of the fact that one of our mission team had previously been to Saltillo as a teenager in his parish youth group with a priest he said whose cause was being proposed…so I looked it up, and here it is:
On Nov. 21, 2009, the Diocese of Saltillo celebrated a Mass to observe the 40th anniversary of the coming of Father Quinn to Saltillo. During Mass, Bishop Francisco Villalobos, who was the Bishop of Saltillo during Father Quinn’s years there, spoke about the sanctity of the priest.
And this year, on Jan. 7, Father Piovan celebrated a Mass at St. Michael Church in Saltillo to mark the 13th anniversary of Father Quinn’s death. During Mass, several people gave testimonies about cures they credited to his intersession.
The grounds where the Diocese of Saltillo plans to build a new St. Michael Church in memory of Father Quinn were blessed the same day. An altar in the church, that will have a capacity to seat 400 people, will be dedicated in Father Quinn’s honor. This altar will contain the names of all those who contribute to the construction of the new church.
Mexican journalist Jesús Salas Cortés is writing a book about Father Quinn’s life and ministry in Saltillo and is planning to publish it later this year.
During his ministry in Saltillo, Father Quinn built 15 chapels of which seven are now parishes.
Following Father Quinn’s death, the diocesan mission, sponsored by the Diocese of Jackson and the Diocese of Biloxi, moved its base-mission from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to St. Michael Parish.
Thinking of your missionary caught up to me emotionally during my AM cycling/prayer project on this thoroughly pleasant windy and sun screaming harbor morning (I’m here still …having switched to iPad rather than broadband). I cycle then stop and pray for 10 minutes then cycle etc. for an hour. I pray for all clergy each day as the second request but today I separated as special those who give up the most and work in the poor areas even if those areas become a little heaven sooner or later for them as they grow wiser with age. Other cyclers must think I’m goofing off on my prayer stops…I’m not.
I’m most often praying for the Mel Gibson’s and Lohan’s and porn stars and drug dealers and all who seem within mortal sin though God only is sure of such things. Your Fr. Quinn caught up to me today emotionally …(New Jersey may declare me a waterworks utility soon)…tears in eyes…with sunlight bouncing off the waves. Must lock up this white car and get back on the bike…and back on my curious charism.
Amy – I have been to Saltillo as well. The Diocese of Austin had a long relationship with a small town outside of Saltillo (Arteaga) and had mission priests man the parish there.
Unfortunately, with all the violence near the border and because a priest from our diocese was murdered in Mexico last year, the Diocese will not allow groups to cross the border right now.
When I was in Saltillo several years ago they spoke frequently about Padre Quinn. They even have a song that somebody wrote about him that they sang for us! He was clearly much beloved by the people there.
Reading your posts about Saltillo reminded me of what a good experience we had when we were there. I was supposed to go back there a second time, but got sick just before the trip, I was so disappointed not to be able to go there again.