Pope Francis has given a crash course on how to advance in holiness.
Addressing Syro-Malabar Rite Catholics from India in the Vatican this morning, one day after Sunday’s canonization of six Indians, the Pope said, “Follow their footsteps and imitate them, in a particular way, through love of Jesus in the Eucharist and love of the Church.”
“Thus you will advance along the path to holiness,” he said.
Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluvathingal, who was a member of the religious institute founded by him, are the two saints about whom he was specifically speaking.
Their lives, Francis said, can “remind each of us that God’s love is the source, the support and the goal of all holiness, while love of neighbor is the clearest manifestation of love for God.”
Father Kuriakose Elias was a religious, both active and contemplative, who, the Pope said, “generously gave his life for the Syro-Malabar Church, putting into action the maxim “sanctification of oneself and the salvation of others.’”
Since Sister Euphrasia lived in profound union with God, the Pope said her life of holiness “was an example and an encouragement to the people, who called her ‘Praying Mother.’”
“May these new saints help you to treasure their lessons of evangelical living,” the Jesuit Pope said.
The Holy Father also expressed his hope that this time of celebration and intense spirituality help them “to contemplate the marvelous works accomplished by the Lord in the lives and deeds of these new saints.»
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full translation of Pope’s address today: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-address-to-syro-malabar-rite-catholics-from-india
Full translation of Pope’s homily at Canonization Mass: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-homily-at-canonization-mass-of-6-new-saints
On the NET:
To learn more on the saints:
http://www.saintkuriakoseeliaschavara.org/Saint_Kuriakose_Elias_Chavara.htm
http://www.cmcsisters.org/home/inner/4
