THE FIRST BEATIFICATIONS OF 2000, UNDER THE SIGN OF MARTYRDOM

VATICAN CITY, MAR 6, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope received the pilgrims who yesterday took part in the beatification of 44 martyrs from Brazil, Belarus, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. "The first beatification of the year 2000," said the Holy Father, "takes place under the sign of martyrdom, in other words of the total giving of oneself to Christ and to the Gospel."

Speaking of the Vietnamese Blessed Andre de Phu Yen, John Paul II asked that all Vietnamese Catholics "even today, may find in his example the strength to be faithful to their Christian vocation, in faith to the Church and to their country."

He continued: "I pray that through the intercession of Fr. Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung (of Thailand), the Catholic community in your country will always be blessed with priests imbued with that same spirit."

The Pope went on to request that many young people follow the example of the Filipino Blessed Pedro Calungsod "and give themselves to the Lord in the many forms of lay apostolate or in the priesthood and religious life."

Speaking of Andre de Soveral and Ambrosio Francisco Ferro, priests, and 28 companions, Brazilian martyrs, he said: "Let us ask God that the example of faith of these first Christians, especially those families of martyrs ... may bring us to renew our commitment to a fruitful and bold evangelization at all levels of society."

Lastly, speaking Polish, the Pope addressed the pilgrims who had come for the beatification of Maria Stella Adela Mardosewicz and her 10 fellow sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who were martyred in what was formerly eastern Poland, and is now Belarus.

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