BEATIFICATION OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD
JOSEPH TÀPIES AND SIX COMPANIONS
AND SR MARY OF THE ANGELS GINARD MARTÍ
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
TO PILGRIMS AT THE END OF THE BEATIFICATION MASS
Vatican Basilica
Saturday, 29 October 2005
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the end of this Eucharistic celebration, during which the Martyrs Joseph Tàpies and six priest companions, and Mary of the Angels Ginard Martí were beatified, I am pleased to join all of you who have come from diverse areas to pay them homage. I greet with affection my Brother Bishops, the distinguished Authorities, also the priests, men and women religious and the faithful here present.
The exemplary priests of the Diocese of Urgell, who sacrificed their lives during religious persecution in Spain for fidelity to the ministerial priesthood, served their parish communities who placed their faith in them with great dedication. Giving testimony to their priestly state and forgiving their persecutors, they gave their lives invoking the King of the Universe.
May they intercede for the Diocese of Urgell and the other Spanish Dioceses, for priestly and religious vocations and for the increase of Christian virtue in all the faithful!
The new Blessed [Mary of the Angels], who was born in the Diocese of Majorca and belonged to the Zealous Sisters of Eucharistic Adoration, underwent martyrdom in Madrid during the same persecution. Completely devoted to the Lord in Religious life, she spent long hours in adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament without neglecting her work in the community. She prepared herself in this way to offer her life as a supreme expression of love for Christ.
These new Blesseds are a living example to us all of the priestly identity and of religious consecration. We give thanks to God for the great gift of these heroic witnesses to the faith.
Bl. Joseph Tàpies and companions, and Bl. Mary of the Angels, pray for the Ecclesial Community of Urgell, of Madrid, of Majorca and of all Spain! Amen.
© Copyright 2005 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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