The Mass was celebrated on Friday, 19 October 2018 at 10am in Lima’s Metropolitan Cathedral, where the mortal remains of the Venerable Brother Francisco Camacho lie -- the man known as the Beggar of Lima, who embodied the life of St John of God, spreading the Gospel of Mercy and Hospitality until his last breath. Presiding at the Eucharist was Mgr Raúl Antonio Chau, Auxiliary Bishop of Lima, and the concelebrants were General Councillor Brother Benigno Ramos OH, Provincial Councillor Brother César Arroyo OH, and Fr Serapio Ríos, TOR, in the presence of the Provincial Superior, Brother William Pintado OH, and General Councillor Brother Moisés Martín Boscá OH, the Director of the General Curia’s Missions and International Cooperation Office, together with other Brothers, Co-workers from the Lima Hospital, the Provincial Curia, Volunteers, Benefactors and above all, representatives of our Guests with a few family members.
This important event was a celebration of the life of the Venerable Brother Francisco Camacho who, in the words of General Councillor Brother Benigno Ramos, was “Lima’s St John of God”, inviting everyone to become acquainted with him to disseminate familiarity with his life, and from whom, as members of the St John of God Family, we have so much to learn, in the words of the Provincial Superior.
Mgr Chau spoke of his life dedicated to serving the sick and needy, and of the importance of taking his beatification process forward.
After Mass, at a fraternal meeting, the Provincial Superior and his Council gave an image of the Venerable Francisco Camacho to the Bishop and the visiting Brothers, depicted in an oil painting of the Cusco school, and offered small mementos of the event to all the people present.