Pope John Paul II Beatified in Vatican, Infant Jesus Shrine Celebrates
Rome, May 1 (IANS): Pope Benedict XVI beatified John Paul II Sunday before a large crowd that congregated in St. Peter's Square and surrounding streets of Rome, taking the late pontiff one step closer to sainthood, RIA Novosti reported.
Beatification, or declaring a person to be "blessed", is the necessary prelude to full sainthood. The Vatican must declare the person to have performed a miracle for this to take place.
Shortly after the start of the Mass that had drawn over one million people, Benedict pronounced that from now on John Paul could be called "Blessed".
John Paul II, the predecessor of Pope Benedict XVI, died April 2, 2005, at the age of 84. He was the second-longest documented pontiff, who headed the Catholic Church for 26 years.
Among those at the Vatican's St Peter's Square was French nun Marie Simon-Pierre, who claims she was cured of Parkinson's disease. Her apparent miraculous cure is part of the case for the beatification, the last stage before sainthood, BBC reported.
St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, was packed, with the faithful waving banners and flags as Pope Benedict XVI declared his predecessor blessed, or beatified.
Rome didn't witness crowds of this size since the death of Pope John Paul II six years ago when about three million pilgrims gathered in the Italian capital, the report added.
A special Thanksgiving mass will be celebrated in Saint Peter's Square on the morning of May 2.
Mangalore: Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte, Celebrates Beatification
Stanly Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, May 1: Thousands gathered at Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte to commemorate the beatification of Pope John Paul II even as Pope Benedict XVI declared him Blessed in Vatican on Sunday May 1.
The devotees paid homage to the ‘People’s Pope’ with memories of his visit to Mangalore 25 years ago still fresh in their minds. "Teach us the path of holiness as you tread them", they all prayed. It was announced that Infant Jesus Shrine will have the Novena to the new Blessed every Friday together with the Divine Mercy devotion.
‘Subito Santo’ (immediately Saint) people acclaimed at his funeral. In six years record time Pope John Paul II was raised to the Altars. He had been a Pope of the masses and attracted people of every walk of life, religion and faith.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr George Santhumayor OCD who was ordained priest by the new Blessed on June 6 1982. “I feel thrilled and filled with emotion as my Pope who anointed me a priest is declared Blessed. Indeed he was a holy man,” said Fr. George.
Being the Apostle of Divine Mercy, Infant Jesus Shrine celebrated the twin event with great devotion and affection. The Shrine has been celebrating the Divine Mercy feast ever since it was erected in 1996.
Daijiworld Special: