LIVING SANCTITY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MARTYRS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 12, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican Basilica the Holy Father received the pilgrims who yesterday attended the first beatification ceremony of the new millennium, for the 233 martyrs of the religious persecution of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

After recalling that the new martyrs come from 37 dioceses and represent 12 autonomous communities, the Pope affirmed that each of them offers a model of life "which is most eloquent when combined with the death they freely suffered as supreme proof of their fidelity to Christ and to His Church."

"Sanctity," the Holy Father emphasized, "is not solely a privilege reserved for a few. The footsteps of sanctity are many and run through the small concrete occurrences of every day, endeavoring to perform an act of love in every situation. ... May your personal journey, the journey of your families and communities, be, today more than ever, a journey of sanctity."

John Paul II recalled that the new Blesseds "teach us through their life and death that nothing can be preferred to the love expressed by God, which is manifested in Christ Jesus. ... We must be willing to follow the footsteps of the martyrs and live sanctity, as they did, fully in Him, for Him, and with Him."

"Their witness cannot and must not be forgotten. They manifest the vitality of your local Churches. May their example make each of you living and credible witnesses of the Good News for the new times. May our imitation of them produce abundant fruits of love and hope in today's society. This is my desire. Promote the culture of life. Build it with words but also with concrete actions." The Pope concluded: "Be always and everywhere living and credible witnesses of love, unity and peace."

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