canonization

During the Oct. 14 at the Vatican — very early morning in El Salvador — Salvadorans gathered in the square outside the cathedral to watch the canonization ceremony of St. Oscar Romero, El Salvador’s first saint.

Carrying Pope Paul VI’s pastoral staff and wearing the blood-stained belt of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, Pope Francis formally recognized them, and five others, as saints of the Catholic Church.

fter a trip to Rome to discuss details about an upcoming ceremony that will result in El Salvador’s first saint, Msgr. Rafael Urrutia was eager to share a cache of official prayer cards of soon-to-be St. Oscar Arnulfo Romero.

A recent editorial in a weekly publication of the Archdiocese of San Salvador argues that the canonization of Blessed Oscar Romero should be held in El Salvador around World Youth Day, which will take place in January in nearby Panama.

During an April 11 homily in Washington, Salvadoran Archbishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas said the canonization of Blessed Oscar Romero will “probably” be in Rome and “probably” take place at end of October after a meeting of bishops.

Known as the apostle of divine mercy, St. Faustina Kowalska brought the message of God’s deep and passionate love for all of humanity.

Blessed Paul VI will be declared a saint in late October at the end of the Synod of Bishops on youth and discernment, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

Although Pope Francis announced the upcoming canonization of Blessed Paul VI, he still has not formally signed the decree recognizing the miracle nor held a consistory — a meeting of cardinals — to set the date for the ceremony.