Six New Saints:

VATICAN - Among 6 new saints is Australian Sister Mary of the Cross MacKillop

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - It is clear, in fact, that prayer has to be an expression of faith, otherwise it is not real prayer. If one does not believe in the goodness of God, one cannot pray in a truly appropriate manner. Faith is essential as the basis for prayerful behavior. And this is what the six new Saints who today are being proposed for veneration by the Universal Church did.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI on Sunday, October 17, during the Mass for the Canonization of six Blesseds, which he presided in Saint Peter's Square.

Saint Stanislaw Soltys, (1433-1489), a priest of the Canons Regular of the Lateran, “was attached to the Eucharist through his ardent love for Christ present under the form of bread and wine; living the mystery of the death and resurrection, which take place in a bloodless way during Holy Mass; through the practice of loving one’s neighbor, whose source and sign is Communion.”

Father Andre Besstte, (1845-1937) of Quebec, Canada, religious of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, knew suffering and poverty at an early age, leading him to turn to God through prayer and an intense interior life. “Doorman at the Notre Dame College in Montreal, he showed boundless charity and did everything possible to soothe the despair of those who confided in him.”

Mother Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria e Barriola, (1845-1912), foundress of the Daughters of Jesus, “lived for God alone,” “and with scarce means she managed to inspire other Sisters to follow Jesus and dedicate themselves to teaching and to the promotion of women,” especially among those most in need.

Mary of the Cross MacKillop, (1842-1909), foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, was dedicated to the education of the poor “in the difficult and demanding terrain of rural Australia, inspiring other women to join her in the first women’s community of religious sisters of that country. She attended to the needs of each young person entrusted to her, without regard for station or wealth, providing both intellectual and spiritual formation.” 

Giulia Salzano, (1846-1929), Foundress of the Congregation of the Catechetical Sisters of the Sacred Heart, apostle of Christian education, “understood well the importance of catechesis in the Church, and, uniting pedagogical preparation to spiritual zeal, she dedicated herself to this with generosity and intelligence, contributing to the formation of people of every age and social class.”

Battista Camilla Varano, (1458-1524), Poor Clare, “profoundly witnessed to the Gospel meaning of life, persevering especially in prayer.” She became a protagonist in that vast movement of female Franciscan reform which was intended to fully recover the charism of St. Clare of Assisi. She promoted new monastic foundations and her life “completely immersed in the depths of the divine, was a constant ascent along the path of perfection, with heroic love for God and her neighbor.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2010)

Links: 
Complete text of the Holy Father's homily, in several languages
http://www.fides.org/ita/documents/Canonizzazioni_17102010.doc

Posted via email from deaconjohn's posterous