New saints of the Church
On 23 October 2005, at Mass in St Peter's Square, Benedict XVI called to love for Jesus in the Eucharist, thanks to which the Church would 'be evermore a beacon of light, of true joy and hope, fully achieving its mission as sign and instrument of unity among all men'. In the presence of almost 100,000 faithful from all over the world the Holy Father canonized five saints, including two Poles: Archbishop Jozef Bilczewski and Fr Zygmunt Gorazdowski.
The celebration of the canonization ended the Year of the Eucharist and the ordinary general assembly of the Synod of the Bishops dedicated to the mystery of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church. Benedict XVI characterized the new saints. He said in Polish, 'St Jozef Bilczewski was a man of prayer. The Holy Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, meditation, the Rosary and other pious practices formed part of his daily life. A particularly long time was dedicated to Eucharistic adoration. St Zygmunt Gorazdowski also became famous for his devotion founded on the celebration and adoration of the Eucharist. Living Christ's offering urged him toward the sick, the poor and the needy'.
Benedict XVI gave the profiles of the new Chilean saint Albert Hurtado Cruchaga, Saint Gaetano Catanoso and Saint Felice da Nicosia.
The Pope referred to the World Missions Day, celebrated on 23 October, and the theme for reflection: Mission: bread broken for the life of the world, and he urges Christians to be 'bread broken' for others, to commit themselves to a more just and fraternal world.
"Niedziela" 45/2005