On Saturday 30
September, in Cordoba Cathedral, the diocesan phase of the Cause of
Beatification and Canonisation of the Servant of God Brother Boniface Bonillo
(1899 - 1978) was officially concluded.
Bishop Demetrio
Fernández González presided over the final session of the Diocesan
Investigation in the presence of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal, which collected
testimonies regarding the Brother's Life, Virtues and fame of holiness.
In his speech, Bishop
Demetrio highlighted the Servant of God's charity and sensitivity,
manifestations of a man in harmony with the Gospel. Brother Boniface, in his
simplicity and humility, was able to foster a movement of charity that has come
down to us and lives on today through the Brothers of Saint John of God and with
the help of very large number of volunteers. The Brother received his formation
in the school of the Gospel and followed the example of John of God. From his
Founder he learnt to love God, the poor and the sick. After his initial journey
of formation, on 5 May 1935 he was assigned to the San Rafael Hospital in
Cordoba (today the San Juan de Dios Hospital) as an alms-raiser, a service he
carried out until his death, to be able to host and take care of children
suffering from poliomyelitis and other bone diseases. Mindful of his simple but
important task, the Servant of God tirelessly tramped the streets of Cordoba
and the surrounding areas to find benefactors willing to support the work of
the Saint John of God Brothers. Brother Boniface had no fear of the trials and
humiliations that he had to endure as a result of his humble, but very
important service. On the contrary, he was so involved in his mission that he
would have gladly given his life for those he called 'his children'. The Servant of God performed his humble
mission among the people for 43 years and succeeded in making himself loved and
well-liked by everyone.
We are grateful to Our Lord for this further step in the Cause of
Canonisation of our Brother towards obtaining recognition of his fame for his holiness
of life. To him we commit all the sick and the needs of our Religious Family.
