Father José Maria: the “Marian prophet”
Father José Maria (Giuseppe Rason, Vigo di Fassa 1942): missionary in Brazil since September 23, 1970, devotee of Our Lady of Sorrows and apostle of the RosaryBorn in a small mountain village, in Vigo di Fassa, Italy, in 1942. He came to Brazil on mission on the day of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina’s death, September 23, 1970, where he recounts hearing within the ship: «Today returns to God Father Pius, the saint of Pietrelcina».Father Giuseppe Rason, «José Maria», as he was affectionately called, bore in his name the name of the woman he said was his life partner, Mary. Among his many virtues, he stood out for his love for the poor, the Eucharist, souls in purgatory, and Mary, his «little mother». In his 29 years as a parish priest in a single parish in the interior of Minas Gerais, Ituiutaba, he was seen every morning and afternoon walking the «Via Dolorosa», going from picture to picture of Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows, touching the image, praying, and conversing with Our Lady. To some who did not know him, he was seen as «mad». To those who were close to him, he was seen as a Marian prophet and a prophet of the poor, titles given to him by his parish priest, Father Romeu, also a student of Locus Mariologicus, who lived with him in this last year and bore witness to his life of holiness.![Padre José Maria, profeta mariano e devoção a Maria]()
A tribute in his parish, São Judas Tadeu, in the city of Ituiutaba-MG
The love for Our Lady, especially under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows, led him to rise every morning well before dawn to recite his rosary for the souls in purgatory, for the conversion of priests, and for his spiritual children.He was also a priest exorcist. How many times did we hear the cries of the poor, under the weight of the enemy of God, calling out his name and saying for him to leave, as he was beloved by Mary?He faced the solitude of a prophet, the scorn of some, the pain of losing his parents in Italy. He also faced cancer in 2018. Regarding this last event, there are testimonies from those who accompanied him in the hospital: he would wake up at night alone and have conversations with “someone,” whom he called the Mother of Heaven.Father José Maria lived a life entirely dedicated to the Gospel. He was not very educated, had no extensive studies, spoke with a heavy accent and a raspy voice. Yet, his voice reached many places and became a practice of love. He converted children, youth, and priests. There are even testimonies from bishops who had their lives changed solely by his presence.
Today, we write about him so that his memory may be kept alive for many generations. Today, we celebrate his 7th day in Eternal Life. For many, it is a “loss,” especially for the poor who knocked on his door every day. For many others, he is an intercessor in Heaven who will accompany the souls in Purgatory, for whom he had such devotion, continuing to intercede for us who remain here in this “valley of tears.”We wish to pay this small tribute on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows to this man who did so much good on Earth and will continue to do so in Heaven. May Our Lady of Sorrows, who received the children of God as her spiritual offspring, teach us day by day the love for others, especially for those who have nothing to offer us in return.Do you have any experiences with Our Lady of Sorrows? Share them below!To deepen your Marian prophetic spirituality, consult Paul VI’s document *Marialis Cultus* on the cult of Mary and its evangelizing dimension in the life of the Church.Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology.Graduate Studies in Mariology
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