Francisco and Jacinta have been declared saints

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FATIMA (CNA) • Pope Francis officially declared Francisco and Jacinta Marto saints of the Catholic Church in front of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at Fatima, Portugal on May 13, teaching us that even young children can become saints. “For the honor of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of the Christian life, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, after due deliberation and frequent prayer for divine assistance, and having sought the counsel of many of our brother Bishops, we declare and define Blessed Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto to be saints,” 

Pope Francis exclaimed May 13 as the crowd roared with applause. “We enroll them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Pope Francis presided over their canonization Mass during his two-day pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal May 12-13 to take part in celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady of Fatima. In a Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in San Antonio that Saturday, Archbishop Gustavo explained to attendees that in the gospel reading from John, Jesus tells his disciples — and us — “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater one than these . . .” He continued, “In effect, the Lord tells his disciples — the church — to carry on his mission and ministry. As

missionary disciples, we are all responsible for this because of our baptism and confirmation. Remember also that the “little one” Juan Diego (although not a child) was the one to whom Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared. Great things can come from people of simple but unwavering faith.” The archbishop challenged the faithful to listen to the words of Jesus and the message of Our Lady — not merely to listen but also to ponder them, integrate them into life, and act on them. “Today, in light of the very dangerous situations throughout the world, we are urged to pray for peace. War is not the answer to our problems Diplomacy and dialogue are essential,” he said, asking, “What can you and I do? Support those who work for peace — and pray the rosary for peace as the Virgin of Fatima asked us to do.”

Lastly, the San Antonio prelate encouraged all to recognize the personal and communal need for repentance and conversion. “We need to open our minds and hearts to the word of God,” the Missionary of the Holy Spirit concluded. “Mary, our dear Mother and the Mother of the Church, will help us become true missionary disciples of her beloved Son, doing great things in his name through faith.”