Pope canonizes Swedish nun, Polish priest

June 06, 2016

Pope Francis canonized a Polish priest and a Swedish nun during an outdoor Mass in St. Peter’s Square on June 5.

St. Stanislaus Papczynski (1631-1701), also known as St. Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary, founded the Marian Fathers. St. Elizabeth Hesselblad (1870-1957) was a Swedish immigrant to the United States who converted to Catholicism, re-founded the Bridgettine order in Europe, and saved Jews during World War II.

Preaching on the Gospel reading of the day (Lk. 7:11-17), the Pope said that “with each and every sinner, Jesus constantly makes the victory of life-giving grace shine forth.”

“Today, and every day, he says to Mother Church, ‘Give me your children,’ which means all of us,” the Pope continued. “He takes our sins upon himself, takes them away and gives us back alive to the Mother Church … The Church today offers us two of her children who are exemplary witnesses to this mystery of resurrection.”

 

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Further information:

• Cappella Papale per la Canonizzazione dei Beati Stanislao di Gesù Maria Papczynski e Maria Elisabetta Hesselblad (Holy See Press Office)
• Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus (Holy See Press Office)
• Booklet for the Celebration (Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff)