At the behest of mother Milena, father Donato and brother Gisueppe, the process for the beatification of Francesco Vaccaro was started. Taking care of it is Father Eugenio Beni, parish priest of the Gesù Divin Lavoratore church in the Tamburi district, where Francesco lived, who sent a request to the archbishop of Taranto Ciro Miniero.
Francesco was taken from life on May 29, 2019 at the age of twenty-one due to an autoimmune disease contracted at the age of six. An autoimmune hemolytic anemia that has worsened to the point of giving him no escape. He first affected the cells and then all the organs. A great little warrior who in his carefree years had to fight with the disease that deprived him of a normal life like the one most kids his age have. Francesco fought until the end because he wanted to defeat the disease at all costs but his body couldn’t handle it, taking him away from his dearest loved ones who were close to him from the beginning of the ordeal until the end.
Despite the debilitating treatments, Francesco achieved his goals, he graduated while lying in a hospital bed, he was a brother of the Carmine and in the year in which he died he took part in the Holy Week procession, covering a short distance which for him and for his parents was a source of great pride.
«Francesco lived in the parish and was an altar server – says mother Milena – the football pitch is dedicated to him. Francesco always tolerated pain, he never complained, he accepted everything in silence. He also wrote a book “Giving up? Never!” he did it in the summer when everyone went to the seaside and he was forbidden to do it. The proceeds were donated to the Make a Wish association but his greatest wish was not realized: to go to Paris. We had the tickets ready but the respirator prevented him from boarding the plane. Francesco has undergone several interventions with great force. He could be the protector of young people and of the city that he loved and which, perhaps, was one of the causes of his illness.”
The process for beatification will be long and the final word belongs to the Holy Father.
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