VATICAN - Benedict XVI proclaims four new saints: “Let us thank God for the wonders he has worked in the Saints who are a reflection of his glory. Let us be drawn by their example to make our whole life, like theirs, a canticle of praise and glory to the Most Holy Trinity ”

Monday, 4 June 2007

Vatican City (Fides Service) - On the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, Sunday June 3, Pope Benedict XVI presided the celebration of Mass in St Peter's Square during which he canonised three priests and a woman religious: Fr George Preca (1880-1962), Founder of the Society of Christian Doctrine; Friar Szymon of Lipnica (1435 ca.-1482), of the Order of the Friars Minor; Fr Karel van Sint Andries Houben (1821-1893), a member of the Congregation of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ; Marie Eugénie de Jésus Milleret (1817-1898), foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of the Assumption.
“After the Season of Easter - the Pope said in his homily -, after reliving the event of Pentecost, when the Church's baptism in the Holy Spirit is renewed, we wish look so to say to the ‘open heavens', to penetrate with the eyes of faith the profundity of the mystery of God, One in substance and Three in persons: Father and Son and Holy Spirit. As we allow ourselves be enveloped by this supreme mystery, we admire the glory of God reflected in the lives of the Saints.”
Reflecting on the Sunday readings, the Holy Father remarked that Wisdom, “standing at God's side as an assistant”, loves to dwell among human persons because in them he recognises the image and likeness of the Creator... God's Wisdom is seen in the cosmos, in the variety and beauty of its elements, but the masterpieces are the saints”. The passage from St Paul's Letter to the Romans speaks of the image of God's love "poured into the hearts" of the saints, that is, the baptised, "through the Holy Spirit" who is given to them. “Through Christ - said Pope Benedict XVI -, the Spirit of God comes to us as the beginning of a new 'holy' life. The Spirit places the love of God in the hearts of believers in the concrete form which it had in the man Jesus of Nazareth”.
“In the same perspective, the Wisdom of God incarnated in Christ, is communicated by the Holy Spirit. The Gospel tells us that God the Father continues to reveal his plan of love through the saints… Every Saint shares in the riches of Christ drawn from the Father and communicated at the opportune time. It is always the same holiness of Jesus, always in Him the "Holy One", that the Spirit shapes "holy souls", forming friends of Jesus and witnesses of his holiness.”
Pope Benedict XVI then dwelt on the essential traits of the lives of the new Saints. George Preca born in La Valletta in Malta, “was a priest who was totally dedicated to evangelisation: with his preaching, his writings, spiritual guidance and the administration of the Sacraments but first of all with the example of his life. A profoundly priestly and mystic soul he was filled with love for God, Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints”.
Friar Szymon of Lipnicy, Poland, a follower of St Francis of Assisi, “is today held up to the Church as an exemplary Christian- animated by the spirit of the Gospel - ready to devote his life to others. Filled with mercy which he drew from the Eucharist, he did not hesitate to care for those suffering from the plague, and eventually contracted himself the disease which led him to death”.
Passionist Father Karel van Sint Andries Houben of devoted his whole life to caring for souls. “During his many years of priestly ministry in England and Ireland, the people flocked to him to seek out his wise counsel, his compassionate care and his healing touch.” He was deeply devoted to Christ crucified. At the funeral of this much-loved priest, affectionately known as Father Charles of Mount Argus, his superior was moved to observe: "The people have already declared him a saint."
Marie-Eugénie Milleret reminds us "of the importance of the Eucharist in Christian life and spiritual growth”. She “was particular aware of the need to transmit to the young generations, girls especially, an intellectual, moral and spiritual education which would enable them as adults to be responsible for the life of their family and to make their contribution to the Church and society”.
The Holy Father concluded his homily urging those present to thank God “or the wonders he has worked in the Saints who are a reflection of his glory and he said "Let us be drawn by their example to make our whole life, like theirs, a canticle of praise and glory to the Most Holy Trinity”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/6/2007, righe 50, parole 698)


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