VATICAN CITY, NOV 9, 2003 (VIS) - Today, Feast of the Dedication of the Patriarchal Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Holy Father presided at a Eucharistic celebration at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square and proclaimed the following Servants of God blessed: Juan Nepomuceno Zegri y Moreno (1831-1905), Valentin Paquay (1828-1905), Luigi Maria Monti (1825-1900), Bonifacia Rodriguez Castro (1837-1905), and Rosalie Rendu (1756-1856).
In his homily while speaking about the new blesseds, the Pope said, 'Juan Nepomuceno Zegri y Moreno, priest of deep Eucharistic piety, understood well how the proclamation of the Gospel must be converted into a dynamic reality, capable of transforming the apostle's life. ' With this goal, he developed his redeeming spirituality, born in intimacy with Christ and oriented toward charity with those most in need. Invoking the Virgin of Mercedes, Mother of the Redeemer, he was inspired to found the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, with the goal of always making the love of God present.'
Fr. Valentin Paquay, of the Order of the Friars Minor, was 'a disciple of Christ and a priest according to the heart of God. Apostle of mercy, he spent many hours in the confessional with a particular gift for setting sinners on the right track, reminding human beings of the grandeur of divine forgiveness. Putting the celebration of the Eucharistic mystery at the center of his priestly life, he invites the faithful to join frequently in the communion of the Bread of Life.'
John Paul II indicated that Blessed Luigi Maria Monti, founder of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception, 'dedicated his life entirely to clean the wounds of the body and soul of the sick and orphaned. He liked to call them 'Christ's poor ones' and he served them, inspired by a lively faith and sustained by intense and constant prayer. ' How modern is the message of this new Blessed! He is an example of fidelity to God's call and the proclamation of the Gospel of charity for his spiritual sons and for all believers; he is a model of solidarity with the needy and tender abandonment to the Immaculate Virgin.'
'Jesus' words in the Gospel proclaimed today, 'Do no make my Father's house a house of trade,' speak to modern society which is often tempted to turn everything into a commodity, leaving aside values and dignity which are priceless. Since the person is the image and likeness of God, purification is necessary in order to defend him or her, regardless of social condition or occupation. This is what Blessed Bonifacia Rodriguez de Castro consecrated herself completely to, as she was a hard worker and understood the risks of this social condition of her time. She found a model of the spirituality of work ' in the simple and hidden life of the Holy Family of Nazareth.'
The Pope concluded by speaking about Blessed Rosalie Rendu, of the Society of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul: 'In a time troubled by social conflicts, she became a happy servant to the poor, in order to give back to each person his or her dignity, through material help, education and the teaching of Christian mystery.' The secret to doing so many things, he concluded, 'is in an intense life of prayer and incessant recitation of the Rosary which she never left out.'
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