Vatican City, Oct 16, 2010 / 09:27 am
With the approach of the Oct. 17 canonizations of six saints, excitement is rising in the streets of Rome. Often wearing distinctive dress, pilgrims who have gathered for the event include devotees of the first Australian saint and the first Canadian-born male saint.
The day before the event, St. Peter's Basilica was adorned with large-scale images of those who will be the Church's six newest saints.
Four religious sisters, a religious brother and a priest will be canonized in the morning ceremony in St. Peter's Square with Pope Benedict XVI himself presiding. Pilgrims have been filling Rome for days. Many stand out in their colored caps or scarves that show whom they have come to see "raised to the altars."
An estimated 8,000 people have traveled from the other side of the world to see the official recognition of Australia's first saint, Bl. Mary MacKillop. At the age of 24 she co-founded the Congregation of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, which still continues to carry out her motto "never see a need without doing something about it." She will be known as St. Mary of the Cross.