Note: Bishop McIntyre represented Archbishop Chaput at the Canonization of Saint Luigi Guanella

Greetings from Rome!

It is a perfect Fall day in Rome. Under a beautiful blue sky, Pope Benedict XVI presided at Mass in Saint Peter's Square during which three members of the Church were canonized: Don Luigi Guanella, Bishop Guido Conforti and Mother Bonifacio Rodriguez De Castro. The piazza was full of pilgrims from many parts of Italy and the world. They represented the countries from which the newly canonized came and the peoples now served by the religious communities which they founded. All three saints were instruments through which God responded to the needs of the Church during a particular time. Now, that gift given through each of these saints, lives on and continues to build up the Church in and through the members of the communities which came into being through them.

It is a particular joy for the Church in Philadelphia to witness the canonization of Don Luigi Guanella. Members of the Servants of Charity, founding by Don Guanella serve at the Cardinal Krol Center, caring for mentally handicapped men. For many years, the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, also founded by Don Guanella, served mentally handicapped woman at Divine Providence Village. The love of God for the poor, the handicapped, widows and orphans was made manifest through Saint Luigi Guanella and continues to enrich and strengthen the Church in Philadelphia.

Bill Glisson, who is the recipient of the miracle for the canonization of Don Guanella, is a member of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and was present with his family for this morning's Mass. It was very moving to see him carry the relics of Saint Luigi Guanella to the Holy Father and then take them to a place of honor near the altar. Through the intercession of our new saint, Bill was healed and restored to health after a very serious accident.

It is a wonderful day for the Church. We have been given three new saints who will inspire us by their example and help us through their intercession to grow in holiness in the vocation to which God has called each one of us.

Saint Luigi Guanella, DSaint Guido Conforti and Saint Bonifacia Rodriguez pray for us!

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747