April 27, 2014 is being called the 4 Pope Day: our current Pope Francis, his predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (who has confirmed his attendance) and two prior popes about to be canonized: Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. It is certainly a unique event in the history of the Papacy. Father Barron has issued 3 short videos, with more to come. EWTN is providing coverage too. For some it will be a disappointment that the scheduled events are so early that most Americans will still be asleep, although there should be no lack of re-runs. Here is the schedule:
Sunday, April 27 (Divine Mercy Sunday)
- 3:30am EDT (9:30am Rome) – Canonization pre-show (obsolete links removed)
- 4:00am EDT (10:00am Rome) – Canonization coverage (obsolete links removed)
I personally hope for minimal mis-reporting of Pope Francis ‘making’ these two men saints, and a more accurate representation to the world that they already are saints (that God made them saints) and some encouragement to everyone to aspire to sainthood and not think that without a papal act that they (the viewers) can’t indeed become saints themselves.
Yes, much confusion out there regarding saints and sainthood. Just had a go-around with my niece’s daughter on Facebook about praying to saints and saints working miracles. They are non-denominational so you can imagine the back and forth. Catholics, as a whole, don’t seem that much better informed. Great need for instruction in this area. Wish I were in Rome:(
I’m hoping Benedict XVI will be declared a Doctor of the Church! Soon.
“I personally hope for minimal mis-reporting of Pope Francis ‘making’ these two men saints, and a more accurate representation to the world that they already are saints (that God made them saints) and some encouragement to everyone to aspire to sainthood and not think that without a papal act that they (the viewers) can’t indeed become saints themselves.”
I appreciate your statement Hopeful. I have encountered people in my lifetime who make comments to the effect that there are different levels requirements and expectations of Christians, and even more so among Catholic Christians. People who are regular, middle of the road, and passable and others who go the extraordinary distance who are called upon to be saints. Perhaps its the result of poor spiritual education.
None of us is perfect by ourselves; we all depend on the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ. Every person of God is called upon to live a holy life and to strive toward holiness. Every Christian is called to sainthood in their own particular circumstance.
The church canonizes people who are deemed to have lived extraordinary holy lives as a means to inspire others. There are humble and great saints of God who go unnoticed.
My son told me something a few weeks ago when I drove him to give blood at the American Red Cross which he does on a regular basis. (His brother does this also). He told me that he liked the commercial from the Red Cross showing that super heroes can be ordinary people. Super heroes as depicted as extraordinary people dressed in tights and a cape with special powers, but heroes can be ordinary people who take time to give to others.