Pope beatifies five 'servants of God'

Yesterday in St Peter's Square, the Pope beatified the following: Pierre Bonhomme (1803-1916); Maria Dolores Rodriguez Sopena (1848-1918); Maria Caridad Brader (1860-1943); Juana Maria Condesa Lluch (1862-1916) and Laszlo Batthyany-Strattman (1870-1931). In his homily, the Holy Father said that "meditation on Scripture was an incomparable source for the pastoral activity of Fr Pierre Bonhomme, in particular his attention to the poor, sick, deaf-mutes and handicapped people, for whom he founded the Institute of the Religious of Our Lady of Calvary." Speaking about Blessed Maria Dolores Rodriguez Sopena from Spain, he said: "She wanted to respond to the challenge of making Christ's redemption present in the world of work. For this reason, she gave herself the goal of 'making all men one single family in Jesus Christ'." John Paul II affirmed that Blessed Juana Maria Condesa Lluch "had a deeply Christian youth: she used to go to daily Mass, ... and she strengthened her faith with constant prayer. In this way, she prepared herself for total surrender to the love of God, founding the Congregation of Servants of Mary Immaculate which, faithful to its charism, continues to be committed to the promotion of the women who work." Mother Maria Caridad Brader, virgin and foundress of the Congregation of the Religious Franciscans of Mary Immaculate, "with total confidence in divine providence, founded schools and charity centres, putting all her energy in total Eucharistic devotion." Referring to Blessed Laszlo Batthyany-Strattman, a Hungarian layman, the Holy Father emphasized that "he never put the riches of the earth before the true good of heaven. May his example of family life and generous Christian solidarity be encouragement for everyone to follow the Gospel faithfully."