VATICAN CITY (CNS): Pope Benedict XVI will canonise a Brazilian Franciscan during his May trip to Brazil and will declare four other new saints in June.
During a prayer service in the Apostolic Palace on February 23, the Pope set May 11 as the date for the canonisation of Blessed Antonio Galvao, an 18th century Franciscan and founder of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Conception of Divine Providence.
The Pope will be in Brazil from May 9-13 to participate in the Latin American bishops’ fifth general assembly.
Pope Benedict also announced the June 3 canonisation at the Vatican of a Polish Franciscan, a Dutch Passionist, a French nun and a Maltese priest.
Fr George Preca, the founder of the Society of Christian Doctrine, will be the first native of Malta to be canonised.
The three others who will be canonised with Blessed Preca are:
Blessed Simon of Lipnica, of Poland, a Franciscan who lived in the 1400s and was famous for his preaching.
Blessed Charles Houben, a 19th century Dutch Passionist priest.
Sr Anne-Eugenie Milleret de Brou, also known as Sr Marie Eugenie of Jesus.
