Historic Papal Canonization witnessed by millions

April 27, 2014: The proverbial all roads lead to Rome proved to be reality this Saturday and Sunday as pilgrims kept pouring into the Eternal City which marked the canonisation of two great Popes of the recent past. Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, from now on will be called St. John XXIII and St. John Paul II.

Crowds began gathering around the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square on Saturday evening for the Eucharistic service that was to begin on Sunday at 10 a.m. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered overnight praying, singing and chanting the names of the beloved Popes. After praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, led by the choir at half past nine, the procession of concelebrants comprising of the Cardinals, Patriarchs and bishops along with the Holy Father made its way into the venue with the chants of the Litany of the Saints.

The presence of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the near thousand Cardinals and Bishops, thousands of priests and official delegations from 93 countries and International Organizations with 24 heads of States, religious delegations like that of the Muslims and Jews, gave the ceremony a touch of solemnity. After the Holy Father greeted the mammoth congregation, the hymn invoking the Holy Spirit, ‘Veni Creator’ was sung. Then the Holy Father solemnly uttered the formula of canonization in Latin, with a resounding of loud cheers of the million strong congregation. The formula read “after deliberating, consulting and praying for divine assistance we declare and define Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II be saints and we enroll them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole church."

After the relics of the new saints were presented and blessed, the Holy mass of the Divine Mercy Sunday, followed. The Gospel was solemnly sung in Latin, followed by Greek. In his homily Pope Francis referred to the Sunday that concludes the Octave of Easter and which John Paul II wished to dedicate to Divine Mercy, focusing on the glorious wounds of the risen Jesus.

“The wounds of Jesus are a scandal, a stumbling block for faith, yet they are also the test of faith.” He said. That is why on the body of the risen Christ the wounds never pass away: they remain, for those wounds are the enduring sign of God’s love for us. They are essential for believing in God.” He added.

John XXIII and John Paul II were not afraid to look upon the wounds of Jesus, to touch his torn hands and his pierced side. They were not ashamed of the flesh of Christ, they were not scandalized by him, by his cross, Pope Francis said. Adding that these were two men of courage, filled with the parrhesia of the Holy Spirit, and they bore witness before the Church and the world to God’s goodness and mercy.

They were priests, bishops and popes of the twentieth century. They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them. For them, God was more powerful; faith was more powerful, said Pope Francis. In these two men, who looked upon the wounds of Christ and bore witness to his mercy, there dwelt a living hope and an indescribable and glorious joy.

This is also the image of the Church which the Second Vatican Council set before us. John XXIII and John Paul II cooperated with the Holy Spirit in renewing and updating the Church in keeping with her pristine features. He said that St. John XXIII was the pope of openness to the Spirit and in his own service to the People of God, John Paul II was the pope of the family. In fact he wanted to be remembered as the pope of the family, said Pope Francis, to loud cheers of the faithful. Further more he said he was happy that we are in the process of journeying with families towards the Synod on the family.

Pope Francis at the end of the Eucharist, personally thanked everyone present and all who made the event a memorable one. This was followed by the singing of the Regina Coeli and a final blessing.