Canonizations Sunday April 27

Here is a Video of the Pope Francis entering St. Peter's square and greeting Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Below is the Video of the declaration by Pope Francis (in Latin) of John XXIII and John Paul II as Saints in the Catholic Church.

Here are 2 recently released prayers to the new saints:

Prayer to St. John Paul II

Oh, St. John Paul, 
from the window of heaven, 
grant us your blessing! 
Bless the church that you loved and served and guided,
courageously leading it along the paths of the world 
in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. 
Bless the young, who were your great passion. 
Help them dream again, help them look up high again 
to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth.

May you bless families, bless each family! 
You warned of Satan’s assault against this precious 
and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. 
St. John Paul, with your prayer, 
may you protect the family 
and every life that blossoms from the family.

Pray for the whole world, 
which is still marked by tensions, 
wars and injustice. 
You tackled war by invoking dialogue 
and planting the seeds of love: 
pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.


Oh St. John Paul, from heaven’s window, 
where we see you next to Mary, 
send God’s blessing down upon us all. Amen.

Prayer to St. John XXIII

Dear Pope John,
Your simplicity and meekness carried the scent of God 
and sparked in people’s hearts the desire for goodness. 
You spoke often of the beauty of the family 
gathered around the table to share bread and faith: 
pray for us that once again true families would live in our homes.

Without outstretched hands you sowed hope, 
and you taught us to listen for God’s footsteps 
as he prepares a new humanity: 
help us have a healthy optimism of defeating evil with good.

You loved the world with its light and darkness, and you believed that peace is possible: help us be instruments of peace at home and in our communities.

With paternal gentleness you gave all children a caress: 
you moved the world and reminded us 
that hands have been given to us not for striking, 
but for embracing and drying tears.


Pray for us so that we do not limit ourselves 
to cursing the darkness but that we bring the light, 
bringing Jesus everywhere and always praying to Mary. Amen.

Peace