Nelsinho Santana

Nelson Santana, also called "Nelsinho" (31 July 1955 – 24 December 1964), was a Brazilian boy who died of osteosarcoma. He came to be widely venerated in his hometown Ibitinga, and Pope Francis recognized his heroic virtue in 2019 and declared him venerable.

Life Santana was born on 31 July 1955 to João Joaquim Santana and Ocrézia Aparecida Santana at Ronca Farm in Ibitinga. The third of eight children in a poor and deeply religious family, Santana was baptized on 1 October 1955. From a young age, his parents gave him religious instruction and he attended school on the farm where he lived.

When he was about seven years old, Santana fell from a tree, seriously injuring his left shoulder, and was hospitalized at the Holy House of Araraquara. To cover medical expenses, his parents sold many of their possessions. One miracle attributed to Santana was Vítor da Silva Leitão's recovery from macrocephaly. According to the child's family, they received a copy of Santana's death certificate and asked for intercession. On 8 April 2019, Pope Francis recognized Santana's heroic virtue and declared him venerable.