August 5, 2021 Dedication and Blessing of “Rua Dom Elias James Manning,”

 Valença, Brazil: During his Provincial Visit with the friars of our Province’s Immaculate Conception Custody in Brazil, our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., took part in another extraordinary event, as the city renamed the street next to the cathedral in honor of our late Franciscan friar-Bishop. +Bishop Elias James Manning, OFM Conv., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Valença (Rio De Janeiro, Brazil), passed away on October 13, 2019. The dedication was part of the 185th Feast day celebration at Valença Brazil’s Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Glória.

The Unveiling

The Blessing

Message presented at the time, by Fr. James:

Reflection – Bishop Elias Manning, OFM Conv.
Dom Elias was my good friend, and my Franciscan brother.  I had the honor to be his last Provincial.  Dom Elias loved my name “James” because his own name at baptism was “James.”  When he first joined the Franciscan Friars, over sixty years ago, he was given the religious name “Elias.”  God chose a very appropriate religious name for him, because the prophet Elias was the greatest missionary in the Old Testament.  Like the prophet, the missionary friar Elias preached and lived a simple message:  We must love God and love our neighbor.  Dom Elias as Bishop of Valença became an icon of goodness for everyone to see and love.  He lived a simple life in compassionate solidarity with the poor, the sorrowing, the meek, those thirsting for justice, those needful of mercy, the pure of heart, the seekers of peace.  Dom Elias radiated the Beatitudes.  On behalf of his Franciscan family, I thank you very much for honoring him today in his beloved city of Valença.

Valença City Councilor – Mr. Bernardos Machado, Frei Michel da Cruz Alves dos Santos, OFM Conv. the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., and Dom Nelson Francelino Ferreira, Bishop of Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Video from the events of the day, as the Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Glória (Our Lady of Glory Cathedral), in Valença celebrated their 185th Feast.

More photos from the Cathedral’s Facebook page.

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Translation from Original Facebook Post of Paróquia São Francisco de Assis:

“Today in Valença a fair tribute to the esteemed Dom Frei Elias James Manning OFM Conv.
A street next to the cathedral took its name. Beautiful and fair tribute! Congratulations to the authorities involved. The sixth bishop of the diocese of Valença was the longest prelate in the diocesan government. He loved his diocesans and even after emeritus he chose to remain living in the diocese. I praise God that I had a father, for he was the one who raised me to the priesthood. The last diocesan priest ordered by him. Simple, shy and extremely humble man.
Dom Elijah, I know you didn’t like these things, but the Lord’s passage between us was so simple and calm that we need to immortalize it, yes.
From heaven to God for us!
Rest In Peace bishop-brother.
Source: Pe. Thiago Toledo