A miracle is sought for the beatification of Father Carlos Crespi, a well-loved character in Cuenca

In Cuenca, the figure of the Father Crespi She is highly respected and revered. This 2022 marks 40 years of her death and the legacy she left in aspects such as education and art is still as valid as when he was alive. The cause to beatify him takes 20 years and although the process is advanced, an essential element remains to be verified, the miracle.

The tomb of the Italian priest Carlos Crespi Crocci is located in the mausoleum of the Salesians in the patrimonial cemetery of the city. Of all the existing niches there, hers stands out from afar because the whole year is full of flowers and plaques of thanks for “favors received”.

Those who knew him in life clearly remember his charisma and people skills, more because with self-management he led processes to create educational centers for practical trades such as carpentry, mechanics or tailoring, so that the citizens of the time could undertake and improve their quality of life.

One of those who shared with him was Luis Escandón, who has fond memories of the well-known as “apostle of the poor”. From his house, located in the San Sebastián neighborhood, he takes some black and white photographs in which various facets of the religious as an educator and musician are observed.

“The father had something essential, community service, giving everything he didn’t have,” quotes this 78-year-old man, who still keeps in his mind the image of how from a room in the old building located on the Mary Help of Christians parish gave away milk or fabric cuts for hundreds of children and adults who were looking for him.

But like all human beings, there were things that “made him angry”, says Escandón, among them the indiscipline of the boys which was corrected with a light bell on the head. He remembers that she received three, but they were just punishment for her shenanigans.

Crespi was the mentor of recognized educational institutions in Cuenca, such as the current Salesian Technical College, the oratory, the Salesian Agronomic College, the school that bears his name and even the local headquarters of the Salesian Polytechnic University (UPS).

Precisely in this last space a museum was built where some of his belongings and writings are kept. The musical instruments of the band he directed, one of his well-known bells, a pair of cassocks and handwritten songs stand out.

But one of the most striking is a old video camera with which it is believed he filmed the documentary The invincible Shuaras of the Upper Amazon, in 1926. Another part of his belongings is in the Pumapungo Museum, administered by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

In Cuenca, the custodian of the beatification process is Luis Álvarez, who highlights his figure not only as a religious, but as a scientist, anthropologist, musician, naturalist, pioneer of cinema in Ecuador, in short, “a great guy, a visionary who never I was quiet.”

The visit of the priest Pierluigi Cameroni, general postulator for the causes of sainthood of the Salesian family, is scheduled for the middle of this month. to hold meetings with representatives of the archdiocese, the Salesian community and with the faithful who remember him.

And although there are many thanks to Crespi, a miracle has yet to be certified. That testimony that must be verified from a medical, scientific and even psychological perspective recorded in a clinical history is missing. So Álvarez calls for, If someone wants to give their testimony, be present.

The last activity of the Beatification Committee took place on March 12, 2021 when the volume of the Positio super vita, virtutibus et fame sanctitatis, a document that will be examined by the theological consultants of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

For all this, his followers like Luis Escandón are convinced that Crespi “He came to do work, not only the physical work, but also the dedication to children and youth, of that love that he put in a strange land, that’s why he earned appreciation. He earned that space based on his work and honesty, Cuenca owes him a lot and God wants him to be an example of holiness”. (I)