DECREES FROM THE CONGREGATION FOR THE CAUSES OF SAINTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 20, 2002 (VIS) - This morning in the Clementine Hall, decrees relative to 18 Blesseds and Servants of God were promulgated in the presence of the Holy Father, members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and the postulators of the respective causes. Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation, read a speech detailing the lives of the future Blesseds and Saints.

The decrees concern the following causes:

HEROIC VIRTUES:

- Servant of God Carlo Gnocchi, Italian, diocesan priest and Founder of the "Pro Juventute" Foundation (1902-1956).

- Servant of God Marie Therese of St. Joseph, nee Anna Maria Tauscher van den Bosch, German, foundress of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus (1855-1938).

- Servant of God Maria Crucified, nee Rosa Curcio, Italian, foundress of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters, Missionaries of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus (1877-1957).

- Servant of God Teresa of Calcutta, nee Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, Macedonian, foundress of the Missionaries of Charity, Congregation of Brothers, Sisters and Priests (1910-1997).

MIRACLES:

- Servant of God Giacomo Alberione, Italian, priest and founder of the "Pauline Family" (1884-1971).

- Servant of God Valentin Paquay, Belgian, priest of the Order of Friars Minor (1828-1905).

- Servant of God Bonifacia Rodriguez Castro, Spanish, foundress of the Congregation of Sisters, Servants of St. Joseph (1837-1905).

- Servant of God Giulia Salzano, Italian, foundress of the Congregation of the Catechist Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1846-1929).

- Servant of God Mary of Jesus Crucified, nee Maria Petkovic, Croatian, foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mercy (1892-1966).

- Servant of God Teresa of Calcutta, nee Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, Macedonian, foundress of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity, Congregation of Brothers, Sisters and Priests (1910-1997).

- Servant of God John Merz, Bosnian, lay person (1896-1928).

- Blessed Daniele Comboni, Italian, bishop and apostolic vicar of Central Africa and founder of the Institutes of the Combonian Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus and the Combonian Missionary Sisters "Pie Madri della Nigrizia" (1831-1881).

- Blessed Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, Polish, bishop of Przemysl of the Latins and founder of the Congregation of Sisters, Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1842-1924).

- Blessed Arnold Janssen, German, priest and founder of the Society of the Divine Word and of the Congregations of the Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Spirit and of the Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (1837-1909).

- Blessed Giuseppe Freinademetz, Italian, priest of the Society of the Divine Word (1852-1909).

- Blessed Maria De Mattias, Italian, foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters in Adoration of the Blood of Christ (1805-1866).

- Blessed Angela De la Cruz, nee Maria de los Angeles Guerrero Gonzalez, Spanish, foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross (1846-1932).

- Blessed Virginia Centurione Bracellia, Italian, widow and foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge on Calvary (1587-1651).

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PREPARE YOUR HEARTS TO WELCOME THE CHILD JESUS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 20, 2002 (VIS) - Today the Pope received a group of girls and boys from Italian Catholic Action who came to greet him for Christmas.

Speaking about Christmas, John Paul II said that "the Child Jesus will reveal to us the infinite love of our Heavenly Father who never gets weary of looking for one of his children. From the manger of Bethlehem the beauty of the Kingdom of justice and peace will radiate in the world. Prepare your hearts to welcome Him! It is He who makes you happy."

"The slogan that guides you this year," he continued, "is: 'give a hand to everyone, everyone give a hand'. Hands are not used to collect material goods and to cling to them. On the contrary, it is necessary to learn to keep them open to accept the love of God: hands always ready to receive and to give one's love."

"Live like this," he concluded, "and suggest this way to your peers! In this way, you will offer a precious contribution to the renewal that Italian Catholic Action has undertaken."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 20, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Later this afternoon, he is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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