(ZENIT News / Markowa, 09.11.2023).- On Sunday, September 10th, in Poland, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, beatified the Ulma family, including the newborn baby who was born during the family’s martyrdom.
At the beginning of the Eucharist, the faithful were welcomed by Archbishop Adam Szal, Metropolitan of Przemyśl. He emphasized, «Holiness in everyday life, quiet and humble, gives hope to our world that goodness will ultimately prevail. May today’s celebration, lived in a climate of faith, ignite love for God and for humanity.»
…naszą władzą Apostolską zezwalamy, aby odtąd Czcigodni Słudzy Boży, Józef i Wiktoria Ulma, małżonkowie wraz z ich siedmiorgiem dzieci, wierni świeccy, męczennicy… obdarzeni byli tytułem Błogosławionych. pic.twitter.com/VMaFuSTotJ
— EpiskopatNews (@EpiskopatNews) September 10, 2023
The beatification formula, by order of Pope Francis, was read by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints: «by our apostolic authority, we permit that from now on the Venerable Servants of God, José and Victoria Ulma, married with their seven children, faithful laypeople, martyrs, be invested with the title of Blessed.»
After the beatification formula was read, the image of the new blessed was unveiled, followed by a procession with their relics to the sanctuary.
Cardinal Marcello Semeraro delivered the homily, stating that the special significance of this beatification is that «the entire family is raised to the glory of the altars, bound together not only by blood ties but also by a common testimony given up to the sacrifice of their own lives.»
He emphasized, «In the witness and martyrdom of the Ulma family and their children, we rediscover the greatness of the family, a place of life, love, and fertility. We rediscover the greatness of the mission that the Creator has entrusted to spouses.»
Cardinal Semeraro highlighted that this beatification carries a message more relevant than ever. «In the martyrdom of the new blesseds, a particularly evocative role is played by the little child that Victoria carried in her womb, who came into the world during the painful moments of her mother’s sacrifice. Although they did not have a name at the time, today we call her blessed,» he noted.
«This innocent voice wants to shake the conscience of a society where abortion, euthanasia, and disregard for life proliferate, viewing it as a burden rather than a gift. Therefore, the Ulma family encourages us to respond to this ‘throwaway culture’ condemned by Pope Francis,» the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints stated.
Do prezbiterium wchodzi procesja z relikwiami.
Błogosławiona #RodzinaUlmów
wzorze miłości bliźniego,
uproś u Boga, by każdy umiał,
kochać drugiego jak siebie samego. pic.twitter.com/MKpWXlP4bd— EpiskopatNews (@EpiskopatNews) September 10, 2023
Cardinal Semeraro pointed out that «through their concrete actions, the Ulma family, along with other well-intentioned individuals who helped Jews, anticipated the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, of St. Paul VI, and also of St. John Paul II, by adopting in their lives the attitude of tearing down walls and embracing with fraternal love.»
In his homily, the Prefect of the Dicastery noted that the new blesseds «offer themselves as intercessors before the Lord God so that we may entrust to them our daily life, our hopes, joys, needs, and concerns.»
Around 32,000 faithful attended the beatification ceremony. The Eucharist with the beatification rite was concelebrated by 1,200 priests, 6 cardinals, and 80 bishops.
The liturgical commemoration of the Ulma Family will take place on July 7, the anniversary of José and Wiktoria’s wedding.
Source: Polish Episcopal Conference.
