Clerical kidnappings, elections, and COVID dominate Catholic news in Americas
- Apr 13, 2021
With Prince Charles looking on, Pope Francis on Sunday canonized Cardinal John Henry Newman, praising the 19th-century Anglican convert who became an influential, unifying figure in both the Anglican and Catholic churches.
When the world celebrates the canonization of Blessed John Henry Newman on Sunday, the 19th-century British cardinal won’t be alone, but will be elevated to the altar alongside four other individuals known for their mysticism and service to the poor.
A few prayers to Blessed John Henry Newman became a “constant dialogue” and then a desperate response to an emergency for Melissa Villalobos of Chicago. Her healing, which saved her life and the life of her unborn child, was accepted as the miracle needed for the 19th-century British cardinal’s canonization.
Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of four men and four women, including Blessed Dulce Lopes Pontes, the “Mother Teresa” of Brazil.
Pope Francis will canonize two of the most important and contested figures of the 20th-century Catholic Church, declaring Pope Paul VI and the martyred Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as models of saintliness for the faithful today.
If there’s one thing the new crop of saints who will be canonized this weekend have to say about holiness, it’s that being virtuous is not just for heroic, celebrity-like personalities such as Blesseds Oscar Romero or Pope Paul VI, but it is something that everyone, religious and lay alike, can attain.
A Salvadoran who now lives in Washington recounts his personal experience of working alongside Blessed Oscar Romero.
Pope Francis issued decrees recognizing that 12 candidates for sainthood, including U.S. Sacred Heart Brother Norbert McAuliffe, lived the Christian virtues in a heroic way.