The Servant of God was born in Arequipa in 1872 and, having entered the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers) at a very young age, Mons. Lissón Chaves left a profound mark on the ecclesiastical history of Peru and beyond:

Appointed Bishop of Chachapoyas at just 38 years of age, he travelled through the difficult regions of the Peruvian Amazon on horseback and on foot, promoting the evangelization of indigenous populations and the formation of the local clergy.

Having become the 27th Archbishop Primate of Peru during the period surrounding the celebrations of the Centenary of Independence (1921), he was a tireless reformer: he founded the Faculty of Theology, supported the Catholic press, promoted the Fifth National Eucharistic Congress, and launched an extensive network of social works in favour of workers and marginalized people.

Following the complex political and social circumstances in Peru in 1930, he resigned and chose the path of obedience and exile. Having settled in Valencia, Spain, he lived the last thirty years of his life in the utmost poverty, placing his own experience at the service of the local diocese as a simple auxiliary, catechist, and confessor, forgiving those who had slandered him and never expressing a shadow of resentment.

Alongside the publication of this important work, we recall that the drafting of the Positio super vita, virtutibus et fama sanctitatis is currently underway.

The Positio is the key document that systematically gathers and demonstrates the heroic nature of the virtues and the reputation for holiness of the Servant of God. Once completed, it will be officially delivered to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints for examination by the Historical and Theological Consultors and the Cardinals.

Every Cause of Beatification is a journey that lives through the support of the entire People of God.

We renew our invitation to all the faithful to continue praying fervently for the continuation and the happy outcome of the Cause of the Servant of God Emilio Lissón Chaves.

We ask the Lord that the example of this shepherd — capable of uniting apostolic zeal in mission with the heroic acceptance of the Cross in silence — may soon shine as a model for the universal Church.

If you have received graces through his intercession or wish to make known your devotion to the Servant of God, we invite you to contact the General Postulation C.M.