The Catholic church has four new saints: Giorgio Preca (1880-1962), Maltese presbyter, the founder of the "Societas Doctrinæ Christianæ"; Szymon of Lipnicy (1435 ca.-1482), Polish presbyter of the Order of the Friars Minor; Karel van Sint Andries Houben (1821-1893), Dutch presbyter of the Congregation of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ; Marie Eugénie de Jésus Milleret (1817-1898), the French founder of the Institute of the Sisters of the Assumption. They were canonised yesterday by the Pope, on the Day of the Most Holy Trinity, in front of the Vatican basilica. "As we let ourselves be enwrapped in this supreme mystery" of a God, "One in substance and Triune in persons", commented Benedict XVI, "we admire God’s glory which is reflected in the life of the Saints", "to be looked at, like the four ones canonised yesterday, as "elder brothers", "the exemplary witnesses of the Gospel": "Let’s be attracted by their examples, let’s be guided by their teachings asked the Pope so that all of our life will become, like theirs, a song of praise to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity". The celebration was attended by the heads of State of the Philippines, Ireland, Malta and Poland, and official delegations from Mexico, France and the Netherlands. Speakers included archbishop Peter Carnley, of the Anglican confession in Australia. (continued)
