Cause established by the Congregation (of Saints) May 2, 2003. Vice postulate: Fr. Raimundo Benevides Gurgel (collaborator: Fr. Antonio da Silva Ferreira). Proposer: Fr. Ols Daniel, O.P.
Diocesan investigation began: 8-14-1993; Conclusion: 8-14-2001
Attended Salesian School
Anthony de Almeida Lustosa was born on February 11, 1886. His was a middle class family of farmers, in the state of Mina Gerais, Brazil. At the age of sixteen, he entered the Salesian School of Cachoreira do Campo. Two years later, he decided to become a Salesian. He distinguished himself by his intellectual brilliance and his deep commitment to religious life.
Becomes Director of novices and Rector of studentate
Anthony was ordained a priest at 26 years of age and was chosen as Director of Novices. He became the Rector of the Lavrinhas community, a studentate of philosophy and theology as well as an aspirantate. As well as teaching, he formed many Salesians in apostolic life getting them to help out in nearby parishes and oratories.
Appointed Bishop of Uberaba
The new Bishop found the Minor Seminary empty. However, in the following year, he had some thirty High School students ready for seminary life.
He was concerned for people who were marginalized, taking up the questions of social justice.
Transferred to Corumbà
In 1928, before completing four years, he was transferred to Corumbà in Mato Grosso, which was a bigger diocese, but also with greater problems for evangelization.
Archbishop of Belem do Parà
Barely two years passed before Bishop Almeida was again transferred, this time as Archbishop of Belem do Parà, a very extensive diocese in the North. There, the zealous Pastor spent ten years, generously spending himself as he always did, working for God’s glory.
Archbishop of Foraleza
In 1941, he was transferred to the very important diocese of Foraleza, the capital of the state of Ceara. Here, he gave his very best working for 22 years, as an expression of Don Bosco’s Da Mihi Animas. He was aware that first evangelization consisted in giving people and poor families back their dignity. He founded clincis, the St. Joseph’s Hospital, free schools for the ordinary people, workers groups. He opened a soup kitchen for the poor and Archdiocesan social services.
Built up social services and founded a Congregation
Without overlooking the care of souls, he opened a pre-seminary, the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, and a radio station. To help farming families, he founded a Congregation called the Giuseppine, who today can be found in several states in Brazil.
Gifted writer and artist
Like Don Bosco, Archbishop Almeida was a prolific writer in various fields: theology, philosophy, spirituality, hagiography, literature, geography and botany. He was also a gifted artist and the two stained glasses in the Cathedral of Fortaleza, bear witness to it.
In 1963, after 38 years of Episcopal ministry, the elderly Archbishop asked to be exonerated from Pastoral work and chose the Salesian House of Carpina as his residence. There, he lived the last eleven years of his life and died on August 14, 1974. His mortal remains rest in the Cathedral of Fortaleza.