Pope Francis proclaimed 35 new saints at a canonization Mass at the Vatican on Oct. 15. Thirty-three of the new saints, including three children, were martyrs in either Mexico or Brazil. One of the non-martyrs was Father Manuel Miguez Gonzalez, a Spanish priest from the nineteenth and early twentieth century who devoted his life to furthering education opportunities for girls and women. An estimated 35,000 people attended the Mass. In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on the Gospel, the parable of the wedding feast, and called on the faithful to imitate the new saints who said “yes” to God’s invitation and put on “the wedding garment of God’s love.”

Synod of Bishops to focus on the Amazon region

A synod of bishops for the Pan-Amazonian region will convene in October of 2019 in Rome, Pope Francis announced. The synod will address the topic of evangelization of indigenous peoples in the remote areas of the Amazon forest, as well as helping to promote the economic development of the region. The Church works with the indigenous population to foster responsible stewardship and to protect their human rights and cultural traditions.

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“Along with the Saints, let the joy and beauty of living the Gospel shine through the witness of our lives.” - Oct. 15, 2017