Six new saints to be canonized on Oct. 17

(February 19, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI will raise to the glory of the altar six new saints for the Catholic Church on October 17 this year. The date for the canonization ceremony was decided upon on Friday when Pope Benedict held an ordinary public consistory in the Vatican. The six candidates for sainthood include a priest, a brother and four nuns. Among them is Blessed Mary MacKillop, who will become Australia's first saint. Others are a Polish priest of the Canons Regular of the Lateran, Fr. Stanisław Sołtys, Canadian Holy Cross Brother André Bessette, Spanish nun Sr. Candida Maria De Jesus Cipitria Y Barriola, Italian nun Sr. Giulia Salzano and Clarist nun Sr. Battista Varano, also of Italy. A miracle each attributed to the intercession of the six candidates had been approved earlier by the Church, clearing the way for their canonization. Sedoc – Six new saints to be canonized on Oct. 17.