Pope to proclaim 5 new blessed, Gibson's inspiration for "The Passion of the Christ"

Vatican City, Sep 27, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Anne Catherine Emmerick, whose book “Passion of Our Lord” inspired Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” will be beatified along with Servants of God, Pierre Vigne, Joseph-Marie Cassant, Maria Ludovica De Angelis, and Charles of Austria by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday October 3 at 10am.

Pierre Vigne was a priest and founder of the Congregation of Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament;

Joseph-Marie Cassant was a priest and  monk of the Reformed Cistercian Order;

Anna Katharina Emmerick was virgin of the order of Regular Canonesses of St. Augustine;

Maria Ludovica De Angelis was a virgin of the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy of Savona;

and Charles of Austria, was Emperor and King of Austria.

The statement announcing their beatification states that "In the life of the five new Blesseds the centrality of the Eucharistic mystery is seen as a source of charity and of the Church's mission. Their witness is an invitation for all the faithful to start the Year of the Eucharist with joy and commitment."