John Paul II was ever
obedient “to the Gospel of Jesus, and for this, he was loved”. Cardinal Angelo
Comastri, Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica, emotionally recalled this, on
Monday morning, 28 April, at the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Canonization.
Thousands of faithful, many from Poland,
filled St Peter's Square for the Mass at which the Cardinal. In his
homily the Archpriest recalled the great moments of the Pontificate of Karol
Wojtyła.
He began by pointing out various teachings which came out of John Paul
II's holiness, especially his courage “to speak openly of faith in Jesus in an
age of 'silent apostasy from the satisfied man who
lives like God does not exist'”. Cardinal Comastri also spoke of his boldness
“in defending the family which is God's plan, written clearly in the book of
life”.
The Mass of
Thanksgiving for the Canonization of John XXIII was celebrated in the Church
of Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso,
where Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was ordained a bishop in 1925. Presiding at Mass
was Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, Archbishop emeritus of Milan. At the
celebration Bishop Beschi of Bergamo
read a letter addressed to Pope Francis thanking him for his decision to proclaim
the Polish Pope and the Pope from Bergamo saints. “Let us bless the Lord”, he
said, “for the gift of the sainthood of
Pope John XXIII and Pope John
Paul II. The announcement of this gift before the Church and the whole world
nourishes the hope which comes from the Gospel and from those who witness him”.
At the same time, he added, this announcement “urges us to search –
passionately and with profound joy – and to welcome the sowing of the Gospel
which happens by way of its witnesses and by nurturing what has been sown in
each of our lives, in the specific vocation and mission and in the life of all
our communities”.
credits: http://www.news.va/en/news/thanksgiving-celebrations-in-st-peters-square-and
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