Ven. Fr. Carlo Crespi Returns to His Parish

Venerable Fr. Carlo Crespi Returns to His Parish

(ANS – Cuenca, Ecuador – July 11, 2025) – With deep joy and gratitude, the Salesian community of Ecuador has informed the Catholic faithful and all those in Cuenca who keep alive the memory of Venerable Fr. Carlo Crespi Croci, SDB (1891-1982), that his mortal remains have been transferred to Mary Help of Christians Parish, which was his home for over 60 years.

This transfer, approved by the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, takes place as part of the process of beatification and canonization of Fr. Crespi, whom Pope Francis declared Venerable on March 23, 2023.

At the request of the Salesian provinces of Ecuador and with the approval of Archbishop Marcos Perez of Cuenca, a chapel has been built adjacent to the shrine of Mary Help of Christians where the mortal remains of Venerable Carlo Crespi will rest. This decision will allow the faithful to visit him more closely and to continue to express their faith and gratitude. Fr. Crespi will certainly be able to continue to accompany spiritually those he so loved and served.

Young Fr. Crespi

From his arrival in Ecuador in 1923, this Salesian missionary dedicated his life to the disadvantaged with inexhaustible passion. He was an educator of young people, an inquisitive scientist, a talented musician, but above all a tireless apostle of the poorest. Cuenca was his home and his family. More than a transfer, therefore, it is a return: Fr. Crespi returns home, to the house of his mother, Mary Help of Christians. For over 40 years, his remains rested in the Monumental Cemetery in Cuenca, where thousands of people went to pray, give thanks, and ask for his intercession.

The date of the opening of the chapel where his remains will rest will be announced shortly. In the meantime, the entire Salesian Family, Father Crespi’s devotees, the people of Cuenca, and all of Ecuador are invited to join in prayer, to participate with faith and hope in this moment of grace that the Lord has bestowed.

“We sincerely thank the commission for the beatification of Fr. Carlo Crespi, which is promoting this cause, which belongs to the whole Church,” wrote Fr. Marcelo Farfan, Salesian provincial of Ecuador, in a statement. “Let us pray that, through the intercession of Venerable Father Crespi, we may soon see him on the altars and that his example may continue to kindle God’s love in our hearts.”

Aged Fr. Crespi with kids