Pope Francis canonizes 7 saints

October 17, 2016

An estimated 80,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square on October 16 for the canonization of seven saints.

The seven are

• St. Salomon Leclerq (1745-1792), a French member of the De La Salle Brothers and a martyr;
• St. José Sánchez del Río (1913-1928), a Mexican Cristero martyr;
• St. Manuel González García (1877-1940), bishop of Palencia, Spain;
• St. Lodovico Pavoni (1784-1849), a priest who ministered in Brescia, Italy;
• St. Alfonso Maria Fusco (1839-1910), an Italian priest who founded the Sisters of St. John the Baptist;
• St. Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880-1906), a French Discalced Carmelite nun; and
• St. Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero (1840-1914), an Argentine priest.

“The saints are men and women who enter fully into the mystery of prayer,” Pope Francis preached during the Mass. “Men and women who struggle with prayer, letting the Holy Spirit pray and struggle in them. They struggle to the very end, with all their strength, and they triumph, but not by their own efforts: the Lord triumphs in them and with them.”

The Pope added:

The seven witnesses who were canonized today also fought the good fight of faith and love by their prayers. That is why they remained firm in faith, with a generous and steadfast heart.

Through their example and their intercession, may God also enable us to be men and women of prayer. May we cry out day and night to God, without losing heart. May we let the Holy Spirit pray in us, and may we support one another in prayer, in order to keep our arms raised, until Divine Mercy wins the victory.

 

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Further information:

• Canonisation Mass (YouTube Vatican)
• Santa Messa con il Rito di Canonizzazione di 7 Beati, 16.10.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope Francis canonizes seven new Saints (Vatican Radio)